Orchid blooms in China
the commissioning of the first phase of a joint venture
manufacturing facility.
Indian company Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals has started a push to expand its business into China with the commissioning of the first phase of a joint venture manufacturing facility.
According to a release from the company, a sterile crystalline facility established by Orchid's 50:50 joint venture in China - NCPC Orchid Pharmaceuticals Co - has commenced operations. A second phase comprising a sterile lyophilisation block will be up and running by the end of October.
The new facility is the culmination of an agreement signed between Orchid and North China Pharmaceutical Corporation (NCPC), the largest pharmaceutical group in China, in July 2002.
Through this joint venture, Orchid will manufacture and market sterile cephalosporin bulk actives and formulations for the Chinese market. The facility has a production capacity of 300 metric tonnes and a product range of six cephalosporin bulk actives for parenteral use. Orchid said the JV would consider diversification into formulations and other areas later.
"This JV underlines our confidence in and commitment to the high-volume, high-growth Chinese market, where we have a notable presence," said K Raghavendra Rao, Orchid's managing director.
"Our teaming up with the largest pharmaceutical corporation, NCPC, has been a win-win move for both the parties. Orchid and NCPC teams worked in perfect coordination to commission the 1st phase of this facility on time and within the specified project cost," he added.
