Indian majors race for drug, Cipla says out by Feb

Cipla, claiming that it has already sourced the fruit from China, hopes to start commercial production by January or February next year. ‘‘We have procured it (Star Anise). We are scaling up the process. We are in the lab and by December we will transfer it to production. It will be available in January/February,’’ said Amar Lulla, Joint Managing Director, Cipla.

Star Anise is used to flavour vegetables, meat, and to marinate meat. According to the Spices Board of India, commercial production is limited to China and Vietnam—in India, it is produced to a small extent in Arunachal Pradesh. The board says the crop requires specific agro-climatic conditions available only in traditional growing areas. ‘‘There is a tremendous shortage (of Star Anise). It is not available freely. We have sourced it from Chinese farmers. Everybody is picking up the material,’’ said Lulla.

Ranbaxy, meanwhile, says it is waiting and watching. ‘‘We are assessing the demand. When the government allows us, we will source the material. It is early days yet,’’ said Raghu Kochar, Director-Corporate Communications, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said today that the government is stockpiling doses even though there is no case of bird flu. Roche representatives will be in India on October 29 to convey details about the quantity they can supply to India.

‘‘We will buy form Roche and Glaxosmithkline,’’ said Ramadoss, adding that no Indian company has approached the government for a licence. Cipla says they plan to apply for a licence once they develop the drug and are ready for commercial production.

The Health Ministry has also requested the Ministry of Industrial Development for written advice on the drug’s patenting issue.