Madhumathi
D.S.
Bangalore,
August 5
OVER
a year since it opened the domestic innings in herbal nutraceuticals,
Sami Labs aims to be a market leader in the field.
The
Rs 75-crore Bangalore-based company that was mainly into research
and export of standardised herbal products until April 2002
now wants to be a significant player in nutraceuticals. Armed
with 12 years of R&D, it is now finetuning its domestic
act, especially in marketing and distribution, Ms Neeraja
Shetty, CEO, Formulations, told Business Line.
Last
year, Sami invested a few crores of rupees into setting up
a new Nutraceuticals Formulation Division at Peenya. The division
has lined up nine products in its `Care' range to treat problems
such as HIV and cancer, liver, diabetes, arthritis, women's
problems and prostate enlargement.
By
April next, five more new nutraceuticals would be launched
while Sami plans to foray into herbal cosmeceuticals —
another niche area combining cosmetics with a medicinal edge,
Ms Shetty said. Sami would also be ramping up its operations
by the end of the financial year, Ms Shetty said, adding no
further details.
The
Indian nutraceuticals scene is an untapped goldmine and Sami
is eyeing the "huge gap in the market" mainly for
anti-oxidants, preventive and supportive therapeutics. "Nutraceuticals
will be our core and focus area. We want to be a market leader
and we have a clear vision for it."
The
five new products include a probiotic; an anti-obesity formulation;
a cholesterol lowering agent and a couple of anti-oxidants.
These, she said, would be part of a large portfolio of therapeutic
food supplements that is being built up around the flagship,
anti-oxidants.
In
a segment that is worth Rs 150-200 crore, the division would
be aiming at garnering 5-7 per cent (or Rs 8-10 crore) of
the market share in the first year of operations. Though it
has a strong global network to back its forte — R&D,
the company is addressing its weak link - sales and distribution
in the country.
While
various modes and options are being weighed, the company would
not be averse to complementary tie-ups or joint branding with
"the right kind of partners" to push its products
in the market. Talks are on with a half a dozen companies.
Sometime
next year, Sami plans to unmask its first batch of cosmeceuticals
under the brand name `Johara'. Currently, the line is being
tested at Dubai. Its ingredients such as proprietary white
turmeric and pepper have been used in brands such as JK Helene
Curtis, Avon, Estee Lauder and Amway; and domestically for
Godrej, HLL and L'Oreal.
Eventually,
Sami also plans to develop a domestic B2B business for the
bulk ingredients that it now exports. "We would also
like to get a strong holding in the flavours and fragrances
market, develop a couple of biotech products and establish
ourselves as a strong life sciences company," said Ms
Shetty.
Clinical
trials in US
THE US National Cancer Institute is using Sami's SelenoCare
to conduct 12-year clinical trials on the benefits of selenium
in treating prostate cancer. SelenoCare, Sami's new launch
in the country, is targeted at AIDS, cancer, ageing, heart
diseases among others.
Sami
projects sales worth Rs 2 crore this year from the product,
which is priced Rs 87 for 30 capsules.