Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has major brands like Nise, Omez, Stamlo and Reclide which continued to be leaders in their molecular segments. Omez and Nise are ranked among the Top 25 brands as per ORG. During the Sep.2000 quarter, two brands, namely Irnocam and Cytogem, for colorectal and lung cancer respectively, were launched under the critical care segment. The company recently bought three brands. They are Dinoripe Gel for cervical ripening, Deveprost for postpartum haemorrhage and PG Tab for augmenting labour under the women health segment. Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) has been allowed by the DCGI to start clinical trials on its new anti-cancer compound under the code name DRF 1042. The US-based venture, Reddy US Inc., started in Nov.’99 mainly to apply molecular, genomic and protomic approches for discovery of new drugs, is now fully operational. A joint venture in China has also been formalised.

For the year ended Mar. 2000, Dr Reddy’s sales grew by 16% to Rs 493.02 cr. Net profit increased by 17% to Rs 60.32 cr. The six month results for the period ended Sep.2000 are also encouraging with sales rising by 26% to Rs 303.12 cr and net profit soaring by 138% to Rs 49.07 cr. The sharp rise in net profit is mainly due to a surge in sales of finished dosages in the domestic as well as international markets during the quarter ended Sep.2000.

The company’s R&D division gained momentum as its anti-diabetic molecule DRF-2725 entered the phase II trials of clinical development. Dr Reddy’s is also actively pursuing five other compounds in the field of cancer, diabetes and pain management. The company has valued its brand at Rs 407.82 cr, which has been arrived at by using the interbrands brand multiple method based on seven internal parameters. The company recently joined a league of eight other pharma companies to jointly set up an on-line pharma exchange named Kohinoorpharma.com. Cheminor, an associate company and a major exporter of bulk drugs, is to be merged with Dr Reddy’s.