Mumbai-based pharmaceuticals player Wockhardt is set to strengthen its presence in South America, CIS, Africa and South East Asia over the next one year with brands like Wosulin and Wepox serving as a launchpad in several of these markets. Simultaneously, it is expecting a quarter of its topline to come from the US - where it is aggressively ramping up its product pipeline - over the next three years.
On the domestic front, the Rs 984 crore (Rs 9.84 billion) company is hoping to clinch at least three to four inlicensing deals with multinational innovator pharma companies for selling their oncology and dermatology products in the country.
"By 2009, even without acquisitions, we will have 25 per cent of our turnover coming in from the US generics market. We expect to wrap this year with over 20 ANDAs (abbreviated new drug applications)," said Habil Khorakiwala, chairman, Wockhardt.
In case of an acquisition and depending on its size, the growth in US revenues could be much more, he added.
Revenues from US generics market currently contribute roughly 10 per cent to the biopharmaceuticals player's kitty. Overseas revenues account for 60 per cent of the revenues, of which the majority comes from UK.
"We are also looking to launch our insulin product Wosulin and erythropietin, Wepox in markets of South America, Africa, Middle East, CIS, South East Asia in the next 12-18 months to drive our revenues," said Khorakiwala, outlining his plans for the rest of the world. He declined to specify the revenue potential that was expected to accrue on this account.
"A lot of international companies want to launch their drugs in India. We are looking at 3-4 such deals in the next few months," commented Khorakiwala.
In licensing, which is turning out to be the shortest way for augmenting portfolio with the standing marketing field force, has seen over two dozen deals clinched by Indian pharma.
Commenting on his US strategy, he said, "Acquisitions are important but not essential. We are not into patent challenges but are open to being authorised generics for innovator pharma. However, nothing is in the works for now."
Wockhardt is known to be scouting for a big ticket acquisition in the US with a $1 billion war chest and had been in the running for on-the-block generics player Alpharma, before it lost to Actavis.
The company had acquired Ireland-based Pinewood Labs in October this year, for $150 million. Its overseas acquisitions include Epharma in Germany and UK-based Wallis Laboratories and CP Pharmaceuticals.
