Suchitra K Ella, founder director of Bharat Biotech told that the company had also entered into a memorandum of understanding with Remco Engineering and Consultancy and Perak Development Corporation (PDC), for setting up its first overseas unit in Malaysia. Bharat Biotech would be extending its technical expertise and Remco will build the plant. PDC owns the land. The plant is expected to help BBIL in penetrating into Middle East and Asian markets, particularly Indonesia. The plant is expected to start commercial production by June 2007.

The plant to be located at Pharma Park, Perak in Malaysia will produce hepatitis B vaccine initially and later will take up production of other vaccines. The company will be investing about RM 50 million in the new manufacturing plant and R&D. Investment friendly environment and the resources in Malaysia have made the company to opt the location to set up its unit.

Regarding the partnership that BBIL had with Mvelaphanda Holdings of South Africa to set up its unit, Suchitra Ella said, "The partners are working out the modalities. The South African Government is still keen and pursuing the project. Technology issues and manpower requirements are some of the aspects, on which the partners are working out their strategies. BBIL as of now markets its therapeutic products in African countries."

The company is in advanced stages in development of a rabies vaccine, and is hoping to bring the vaccine to the market by the first quarter of 2006.

BBIL is keen on developing therapeutic products such as recombinant lysostaphin and recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor. The company has filed an IND for recombinant lysostaphin at the end of September, 2005, making it the first biotech molecule in India, for which an IND has been filed, the company sources said.

The company has achieved a turnover of Rs 40 crore plus in the fiscal 2004-05 and is expecting 25 per cent growth in this fiscal year.

"Bharat Biotech will be expanding its basket of offerings in the coming 18 months. More vaccines including combination vaccines are in pipeline. A DPT + hep B + Hib combination vaccines are also planned. In due course of time the therapeutic products and vaccines will account equal proportion of the company's offering. Pro-biotics is another area, where it sees potential. Growth factors are also a promising area for Bharat," Ella added.