Albert David - Placentrex: Current Status & Future Plans

By Swapan Das, Calcutta.

Albert David Ltd., the Rs. 214 crore Kolkata-based pharmaceutical company, a unit of the Kothari group had a press conference in Chennai on June 20, 2011.  Talking to reporters on this occasion Albert David Limited Executive Director K.P. Mundhra spoke about PLACENTREX - their HPE based product’s current status and company’s future plans.

On Company’s flagship product Placentrex:

K.P. Mundhra
ADL- Executive Director

• Production of placentrex injection and placentrex gel has restarted in Kolkata manufacturing plant following a Delhi High Court verdict and the central government lifting the ban on it May 30, 2011. The company challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court where the the government could not prove the reasons for the ban either scientifically or through material evidences.

• Placentrex,is  used to treat pelvic infections in women and heal open wounds, including burn injuries, and there are no safer or efficient alternatives to Placentrex.

• Efforts are being made to register the product in Russia. Currently the drug is exported to South Korea, Myanmar and Syria.

• The company's HPE formulations, Placentrex (gel and injection) is the only human placenta based product in India developed through indigenous research.

• Placentrex is manufactured using Human Placenta Extract (HPE) and has been recommended by more than 30,000 doctors in India over the past 50 years.

• Not a single negative adverse drug reaction or side effect had been noted in the 60 years of use of the injection and 11 years' use of the gel. The placentas are collected from multiple city hospitals in Kolkata, thanks to a special arrangement with the State's Health and Family Welfare Ministry. About 300 placentas are collected every single day, refrigerated, transported to the factory, where they are stored for seven days after which the process of extraction begins.

• During the processing, the product is tested at three stages for harbouring viruses or bacteria. As per the Company, the temperature used as part of their patented process, it is impossible for these organisms to survive. 

• The company had lost Rs.14 crore due to the ban.

On future plans of Albert David Ltd.:

• Albert David is scouting for manufacturing facilities to produce laxatives, vitamin, anti-oxidants and herbal products, which are currently being outsourced.

• The Company is looking to acquire WHO-certified, Current Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant readymade facilities close to their Ghaziabad plant for their brands Evict (laxative), Sioplex (vitamin) and Siooxy (anti-oxidant) and herbal products.

• The company, which makes pharmaceutical formulations, bulk drugs and injections, has three manufacturing plants — in Kolkata (for tablets, ointment and injections), Ghaziabad (for IV fluids) and Mandideep (needles). It plans to move into a new facility in Kolkata and is identifying land. This unit will also house an R&D centre.

• Albert David, which hopes to clock a turnover of Rs 250 crore this year, plans to invest Rs 50 crore in four years – on manufacturing and marketing of new products in the gynaecological and lifestyle diseases segments.

Compiled from: Albert David - Placentrex: Chennai Press Release
Compiled by: Swapan Das
Courtesy: Albert David Ltd. and the press media mentioned in the above link.