With 70 patents in kitty, Wockhardt wins government of India patent award

Wockhardt’s 70 patents include 15 Indian and 55 EU and US patents

Wockhardt Limited has won government of India instituted award for winning the highest number of patents.

Wockhardt has been granted 70 patents, 15 from the Indian Patent office and 55 from the American and European patent offices.

Wockhardt will receive the award for  the ‘Pharmaceutical Company for the maximum number of Patent filings and grants from India’ instituted by the Government of India from Anand Sharma, minister for commerce & industry on 25th September 2009 in Hyderabad, the company said in a press release.

“This award is a recognition of Wockhardt’s robust, resilient and uncompromising intellectual pursuit in discovering new ways and methods of medical innovation,” stated  Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala.

Wockhardt conducts research in the areas of new drug discovery (NDD), biotech & genomics research, chemical research, pharma research, clinical research and devices development.

Wockhardt has 5 research centres and 14 world-class manufacturing plants across various countries that are compliant to international regulatory standards such as the US FDA, MHRA and other global regulatory bodies.

Wockhardt has end-to-end integrated capabilities for its products, starting with manufacture of the oral and sterile API’s, the dosage forms and marketing through its wholly owned subsidiary in the US. Wockhardt has a global footprint including the US, UK, Ireland and France with a multi-ethnic workforce from 14 different nationalities.

In April, Wockhardt announced the resignation of Habil Khoarkiwala from the position of managing director, as India’s leading generic player hit the Rs 3,400 crore debt wall. Soon after his exit,  Murtaza Khorakiwala and Hozaifa Khorakiwala took charges .

Murtaza Khorakiwala has become the new Managing Director –one of the portfolios his father held so far and Hozaifa Khorakiwala the new executive director of the over Rs 2,500 crore Wockhardt.

Wockhardt announced the completion of the divestment of its Animal Health Division to Vétoquinol, France, in August.

Head-quartered in Mumbai, Wockhardt posted a net loss of Rs 190 crore for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to a net profit of Rs 103.6 crore for the corresponding quarter of 2008, due to exceptional items like interest, exchange rate fluctuation and mark-to market (MTM) losses.

Wockhardt registered a 4.8% growth in consolidated sales revenues to Rs 954 crore for the quarter under review against Rs 910.3 crore for the corresponding quarter of 2008. Operating profit (EBIDTA) stood at Rs 168 crore.

As per ORG-IMS for the Q2 of 2009, Wockhardt’s India business grew by 9%. Wockhardt UK continues to lead the way with a growth of 11% compared to the industry growth of only 4% in Q2-2009.

Hospital products in the UK grew by 29% and exports recorded a 39% growth. Two products in the field of antibiotics and oncology were launched. Pinewood Healthcare in Ireland and Negma Laboratories in France consolidate and maintain their sales. Wockhardt’s Europe business grew by 3% in Q2-2009, a statement said.

The US business grew by 24% in Q2-2009 and it currently contributes 19% to Wockhardt’s overall revenues. There were 7 ANDA approvals received till the end of Q2-2009 with 64 products currently being marketed in the US.