molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some

Storm clouds are hovering in the drug research domain where Indian companies have raked in the moolah from a string of successful discoveries.

Research costs are on the rise and the chances of suc­cess in discoveries are less. The time to develop new drugs has also lengthened. A few years ago, it took around two years to launch a new drug; it now takes over six after approvals and clinical trials.

According to Paresh Vaish, director of the Boston Con­sulting Group, the cost of re­search is rising. The cost would be $2.3 billion in 2010 from $1.5 billion now, he said.

Vaish, who analyses drug trends, said a company launched only one drug from a pipeline of eight molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some e

he rise and the chances of suc­cess in discoveries are less. The time to develop new drugs has also lengthened. A few years ago, it took around two years to launch a new drug; it now takes over six after approvals and clinical trials.

According to Paresh Vaish, director of the Boston Con­sulting Group, the cost of re­search is rising. The cost would be $2.3 billion in 2010 from $1.5 billion now, he said.

Vaish, who analyses drug trends, said a company launched only one drug from a pipeline of eight molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some

rug; it now takes over six after approvals and clinical trials.

According to Paresh Vaish, director of the Boston Con­sulting Group, the cost of re­search is rising. The cost would be $2.3 billion in 2010 from $1.5 billion now, he said.

Vaish, who analyses drug trends, said a company launched only one drug from a pipeline of eight molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some

he cost would be $2.3 billion in 2010 from $1.5 billion now, he said.

Vaish, who analyses drug trends, said a company launched only one drug from a pipeline of eight molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some

molecules be­tween 1995 and 2000. It is one from 13 molecules now.

Like the global majors, In-3ian pharmaceutical compa­nies are spending big on re­search, with some even invest­ing around 10 per cent of their top line.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Lupin and many oth­ers are trying to build a pipeline of new chemical enti­ties (NCEs). Ranbaxy's NCE pipeline has 3-5 molecules in the late discovery stage and two in the second phrase;of clinical trials. Dr Reddy's has nine molecules in various stages of development.

At the annual general meeting of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), Vaish said the industry's growth and profits have been driven by prices in the US. He said the drug prices in the US are the highest in the world, while in Canada the prices are half of that in the US