Aurobindo Pharma Ltd - (AUROPHARMA)

Aurobindo Pharma Limited (APL), one of the worlds top 5 manufacturers of semi synthetic penicillins was incorporated in 26th December of the year 1986 as a private limited company. Mr. P.V.Ramaprasad Reddy, Mr. K.Nityananda Reddy and a small, highly committed group of professionals founded it. APL is developing, manufacturing and marketing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs also referred as bulk actives), intermediates and generic formulations. The companys robust product portfolio is spread over 6 major product areas encompassing (Antibiotics, Anti-Retro Virals, CVS, CNS, Gastroenterologicals, and Anti-Allergics) with around 65 APIs in the non-antibiotics and over 55 APIs in the antibiotic segment and the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, has also approved Aurobindos products. APL is running with 14 manufacturing plants across the world conforming to GMP / ISO regulations and an extremely well equipped R&D facility. Aurobindo Pharma has identified international operations also, catering to over 100 countries. The Company has accelerated the DMF/ANDA filings programme in its efforts to build a broad product portfolio for the regulated markets. Cumulatively, the Company has filed a total of 337 DMFs (Drug Master Files), of which 110 are with US FDA, and 133 in Europe including with the EDQM and 102 in other countries. This is one of the highest filings. The Company commenced its operations during the year 1988-89 with a single unit manufacturing semi synthetic penicillins (SSPs) at Pondicherry and it became a public venture in 1992. In the same year 1992, another unit was also set up for the manufacture of CMIC Chloride, a bulk drug intermediate at Pashamylaram, near Hyderabad through another company, namely Chaitanya Organics Pvt. Ltd., later in 1994-95 it was merged with the company. The commercial production of the pharmaceutical formulation unit was started in April of the year 1994. Aurobindo Pharma had gone public in 1995 by listing its shares in various stock exchanges in the country. Glaxo (India), the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based multinational came to an alliance with the company to meet its global bulk drug requirements during the year 1997. In the year 1998, the company had launched new formulations like auronim Suspension in the paediatric segment. During 1999-2000, the company has diversified its product portfolio further with the introduction of wide range of Cephalosporins (Oral & Sterile) and anti - virals in addition to macrolides, anti-ulcerants, quinolones, semi-synthetic penicillins and formulations for domestic and export market. APL made Joint Ventures for formulations business in US, with an investment of a million in the year 2000. Sri Chakra Remedies Ltd was amalgamated with the company in the identical year of 2000. The Company has launched an exclusive anti-viral division Immune during the year 2001 to educate and to provide preventive drug care for HIV/AIDS patients in the country. APL had launched two more drugs in the same year of 2001, namely Efavirenz (Viranz) and Nelfinavir (NELVEX) for the treatment of AIDS. During the year 2001-02 the company acquired 79% stake in Ranit Pharma Company under the same management. Ranit Pharma and Calc Private Ltd were amalgamated with APL as at 1st April of the year 2002.Citadel Aurobindo Biotech Ltd, a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) Company introduced Aztreonam a Monabactam Betalactam antibiotic for the first time in the Indian Pharma Market with a brand name TREONAM in the year 2003. During the same year the JV was happened between APL and Shanxi Tongling Pharmaceuticals Company, as an upshot formulated the JV Company under the name of Aurobindo Tongling (Datong) pharmaceuticals Ltd, China, for manufacture of pharmaceutical products to the local market. APLs 100% subsidiary company in China had commenced its commercial production during the year 2003-2004, which was formulated to procure raw material 6 APA at an economical cost. APL also launched the second JV Company in US for the purpose of Research and Development. During the year 2004, the company received its first Certificate of Suitability (CoS) approval from the European Directorate for Quality Medicines (EDQM) for its product in the therapeutic segment of gastroenterology. During the year 2004-05 the company had acquired a sterile plant of Dee Pharma for the consideration of Rs.38 million which located at Bhiwadi in Rajasthan. US FDA part of Department of health and human science approved the Unit VIII facility of the company in the year of 2005 as a site to manufacture of APIs for the US Market. Also in the same year APL had received US FDA clearance for AIDS drug. The State Labour Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh has awarded the Best Management Award for the year 2005 for the Companys contributions towards community development, harmonious employee relations and their welfare. During the year 2005-06, the company made a strategic entry with its generic formulations in the premium markets of USA & Europe, participated in the PEPFAR program initiated by the Government of USA and consolidated its strengths in the less regulated and emerging markets. Also in same year APL had acquired the UK based Milpharm Limited, the generic formulation pharmaceutical company engaged in marketing generic formulations mainly in the UK market. During March of the year 2007, the US FDA has granted final approval for the Companys Didanosine Oral Suspension (Pediatric Powder) 10 mg / ml. As at June 13th of the year 2007 the Company unveiled their new Logo and Corporate Identity at a ceremony in Hyderabad. The new corporate logo reflects this pace and leadership. Artistic lines intersect to make up the companys initials A and P. The way the initials A and P have joined conveys the spirit of partnership with the companys business. The Honble High Court of Andhra Pradesh has approved the scheme of arrangement for merger of APL Life Sciences and Senor Organics into the company and the utilisation of share premium account of the company during June of the year 2007. APL concluded a strategic deal, for acquisition of intellectual property & marketing suthorizations, with TAD Italy, a generic company registered in Italy during March of the year 2008. This acquisition will give Aurobindo an access to more than 70 ready to market products, which will fast track Aurobindos entry into the Italian generic market. As a part of this deal, APL also acquired high profile OTC brands - Mapooro and Carmiooro from TAD in same period of the year 2008. The Company is increasing its presence in PEPFAR programme and hopes to consolidate its position further.