India’s leading API maker Aurobindo Pharma opens manufacturing facility in Malta

Aurobindo has invested €3 million for the completion of the first phase of the 1,500 square metre factory at Hal Far. Aurobindo wants to develop the Hal Far facility as a hub for packaging, warehousing and manufacturing in Malta.

Aurobindo’s Hal Far facility includes a large laboratory and lines for the production of generics.

The pharmaceutical industry currently employed 1,000 people and, in view of ongoing investment proposals, that number was expected to grow to 1,500 in a short time, according to Tonio Fenech, Finance Minister of Malta, who inaugurated the facility.

The prospects for further growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Malta remained bright, he said.

Mr Fenech said it was significant for Malta that this investment was being done at a time of international financial crisis.Aurobindo has 14 facilities around the world.

Headquartered at Hyderabad, India,Aurobindo Pharma Limited is the largest Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturer under FDA approved facility. Aurobindo is also one of the leading manufacturers of penicillin & cephalosporine products.The company’s manufacturing facilities are approved by several leading regulatory agencies like US FDA, UK MHRA, WHO, Health Canada, MCC South Africa, ANVISA Brazil.

Aurobindo is leading manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals, as well. The company’s robust product portfolio is spread over 6 major therapeutic/product areas encompassing Antibiotics, Anti-Retrovirals, CVS, CNS, Gastroenterologicals, and Anti-Allergics. Aurobindo is marketing these products in over 100 countries.

As on 31.03.2009, 95 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) have been approved in USA including 27 tentative approvals. So far Aurobindo launched 48 products in the USA market.

Recently, Aurobindo’s wholly owned subsidiary Aurobindo Pharma Australia Pty Ltd has received its third approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Government of Australia for the registration of simvastatin Tablets 5, 10, 20, 40 & 80 mg tablets.

Similarly, Aurobindo Pharma Limited  received its first approval from Swissmedic, Government of Switzerland for the license of Finasteride APL Tablets 5mg.

Aurobindo registered a total operating income of Rs 3124.2 crores  for the financial year 2008-09, up by 27.7%  from Rs 2446.5 crores in the corresponding period last year. The operating profit before Fx stood at Rs 573.2 crores up by 63.0% compared to Rs 351.7 crores, a year ago. During the year, the company has incurred Fx loss of Rs 254.7 crores, which includes loss due to restatement of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (net of deposits) of Rs 223.3 crores (gain of Rs 49.6 crores).