Neopharma, Abu Dhabi’s first state-of-the-art pharmaceutical plant, says its sales have picked up following the launch of several products in the domestic segment over the past three years.

The company says it currently features amongst the 20 largest companies in the UAE. 
In the next couple of years, it aspires to enter the prestigious league of biggest local manufacturers in the region.  To meet this objective, Neopharma has embarked upon a two-pronged plan.
According to Dr B R Shetty, managing director and CEO of Neopharma, the first strategy relates to its core area of expertise – new product development and manufacture.  It has entered into a joint venture with Biocon to herald the region’s premier facility to develop life-saving biotech and biopharmaceutical products. These advanced high-tech products will address the needs in diabetology, oncology, cardiology and other therapeutic segments. 
Besides, Neopharma is all set to commission new manufacturing plants to cater exclusively to oral preparations in general and sterile preparations in particular.  The latter, designed primarily for small-volume parenterals, will help the company foray into antibiotics and other segments such as analgesics.  Followed closely will be separate facilities that will cater to the production of ophthalmologic and dermatology products.
On the other hand, Neopharma is aggressively pushing on the export front with the aim of entering new markets in the region.
The domestic market will continue to be the main focus with plans to introduce several products to strengthen the company’s presence across more therapeutic categories. It is also planning to launch more than 100 products before the end of the year.
Neopharma plant’s design is based on the latest modular concept in pharma manufacturing and is fully compliant with international standards.
Strategically allied with multinationals Ranbaxy Global, Biocon and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories from India, the US’ Parke-Davis/Pfizer, Canada’s Apotex and Jamieson; SM Pharmaceuticals of Malaysia and the Swiss Lagap for product licensing and technical know how, Neopharma is living up to expectations of promoting the quality of the healthcare environment by manufacturing pharmaceutical products to international standards at affordable prices.
Its product range covers a wide range of anti-infectives and anti-inflammatory products, medicines for arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases, drugs for the respiratory system, cough expectorants and multivitamin tonics. The plant is now well poised to enter the nutraceutical and OTC segments.
Mussafah, a suburb of Abu Dhabi city. is home to the plant that is spread over an area of 100,000 sq m. It consists of two independent production blocks to prevent any cross contamination. One is dedicated to the manufacture of general products and the other to beta-lactum products, which need special conditions for production.
The entire manufacturing complex is designed on the guidelines specified in the latest modular concept used in world-class drug manufacturing facilities. They adhere strictly to the USFDA and cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements, according to a company spokesman.
The modular concept of manufacture meets regulatory guidelines that help arrest cross-contamination of pharmaceuticals. It also allows only one product to be manufactured at a time, in one module, thus, effectively keeping away contaminants. Dedicated air handling units (AHUs) fitted with terminal HEPA filters, as per EU12 requirements, are installed strategically to completely avoid cross contamination. This ensures the air entering the manufacturing areas and the adjoining corridors is of Class 100,000.
Automated PLC-controlled machines are used in the entire manufacturing process. This equipment is imported from Europe and incorporates product features such as product recipes and data acquisition and is backed by a complete support system. The product does not come in contact with humans during the entire production process. Even the transfer of products - from one process to another - is done using lifting and tilting or vacuum transfer devices.
“At Neopharma, conserving the environment is as important as the manufacture of pharmaceuticals,” says a company spokesman. “Not surprisingly, the treated water passes through an elaborate ‘cleaning’ system that effectively neutralises all harmful constituents - if any - and recycles the water for irrigation and landscaping. The effluent treatment plant with the Constant Transfer Process has extended aeration and filtration systems, which help it to meet the highest standards in environmental friendliness.”