Pharma sector can make waves, says Anji Reddy

Visakhapatnam: The Indian pharma industry can make waves in the world market, as 'we have the requisite fundamentals, the skilled manpower and the research orientation,' according to Dr Anji Reddy, the chairman of the Dr Reddy's Labs.

He was speaking at the convocation ceremony for Dr Reddy's employees receiving masters degrees in science (pharmaceutical chemistry) from BITS Pilani here on Tuesday evening.

Thirty-one employees were conferred the masters degrees at the ceremony presided over by Dr Maheswari, the Vice-chancellor of BITS Pilani.

The ceremony was conducted in Hotel Taj Residency.

Dr Reddy said his company and the university had signed an agreement in 2000 for the introduction of the course for its employees.

'These programmes are aimed at providing employees an opportunity to enhance their academic qualifications, synergise theory and practice on a sustained basis and gain appreciation of key management concepts,' he said.

Recounting his experiences in moulding Dr Reddy's into one of the leading ones in the generics market in the country, he said one of the biggest disappointments in his career was the 'failure of Raaga, a molecule, in 1998. But I could get over it in a day. We intensified our efforts with fierce determination and it paid rich dividends.'

He exhorted the employees to strive hard for greater results.

Later, Dr Reddy told reporters that his company was working on 20 products or so.

'I cannot say which one will hit the market first. But in four years or so we are expecting the results. We are working on cardio-vascular drugs, anti-diabetic drugs and anti-infectives.'