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Aurobindo sets up unit for HIV care

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD, May 7

AUROBINDO Pharma Ltd (APL), one of the leading domestic pharmaceutical majors, has unveiled Imunus -- the first exclusive anti-viral division in the country dedicated to HIV care.

The company already has two divisions -- Indus and Argus. While the former specialises in gastroenterology, respiratory, infection and pain segments, the latter is a speciality division for cardiology, diabetology and neuropsychiatry.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, the company Director, Mr Srinivas Lanka, said Imunus was a networking effort to arrest the progression of HIV to AIDS in India. According to him, the new division would motivate HIV-positive patients to take treatm ent and working together with several agencies and the media mobilise funds for them.

Imunus offered a broad product portfolio of NRTIs (Nucleoside Retroviral Therapy Inhibitors), NNRTIs (Non-NRTIs) and PIs (Protease Inhibitors) at reasonable prices, he said.

Currently, the company has eight bulk drug facilities, two formulation plants and an R&D centre supported by around 100 scientists working on synthesising anti-viral drugs to global standards. According to Mr Srinivas Lanka, the company has earmarked fun ds to the tune of Rs 20 crore for the new division.

The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a combination of several drugs to control the progression of AIDS, has emerged as a ray of hope for HIV patients.

All the drugs used in the combination control the multiplication of the virus by interfering at various sites. The HAART treatment method was found to be highly effective across the globe in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Imunus offers a comprehensive choice in HAART with over 12 options to fight AIDS. To begin with, Imunus offers five drugs -- Zidovex (zidovudine), Lamivox (lamivudine), Nevirex (nevirapine), Stavex (stavudine) and Zidovex-L (zidovudine+lamivudine).

The company proposed to launch seven more drugs -- didanosine, efavirenz, delavirdine, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir and nelfinavir -- in the domestic market in a phased manner, Mr Srinivas Lanka said.