SPI Pharma, the fully-owned subsidiary of the UK's Associated British Foods, which opened its India development and testing centre in Bangalore is working on platforms to revive some of the off-patent drugs through effective personalised formulation and dosages.
Rana Kayal, president SPI Pharma, said that through the company's efficient drug delivery platforms, some generic drugs are being developed from off-patent drugs and a few old neglected drugs are also being revived.
"Our products are being made available to pharma companies across the globe. We are presently working with Indian companies like Cipla, Novartis, Pfizer and Dr Reddy's. We are also in discussion with major active pharma ingredients producers like Matrix and Biocon," he added.
SPI Pharma presently sells in over 50 countries, supplying to global firms, like Glaxo, Pfizer, Aventis, Novartis and Bayer. Technical support is provided by experienced scientists based in the US, France and India.
The company has developed and specialises on novel drug delivery systems like fast melt tablet, fast melt wafer, medicated chewing gum, dry powder suspension and taste masking of bitter formulations.
According to Sarath Chandar, SPI Pharma's vice-president-drug delivery, with improvised new dosage and delivery mechanism, drugs for children, the elder and the terminally ill are possible.
"With the existing formulations and dosage forms, currently some drugs are difficult to administer on them, he added. Globally drug delivery business is valued around $60-70