Lupin acquires Rubamin Labs

Lupin, the country’s biggest maker of tuberculosis medicines, has bought Baroda-based Rubamin Laboratories (RLL), which will give it an entry into the global contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) business. The deal size was not disclosed.

Rubamin manufactures advanced intermediates and specialises in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in drug-making. The eight-year-old company has a wide customer base in Europe. It has a turnover of about $10 million.RLL belonged to the Rubamin Group, whose main business is mining and metallurgy in India and Congo in Central Africa. RLL was hived into a separate company last year.

Sathish Khanna, president, API, Lupin Group, said Lupin was strong in cephalosporins (antibiotics) and the TB drug range and Rubamin specialised in areas Lupin did not operate, which made it a perfect acquisition.

Read more in The Business Standard article.

Indian drug makers eye US firm Par Pharma

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Lupin Ltd and Wockhardt Ltd were named as potential bidders by the Times of India and the Economic Times who are in the race to acquire US-based generic drug maker, Par Pharmaceutical Co Inc.

The Times of India, citing unidentified sources, said Ranbaxy and Dr Reddy's Laboratories had withdrawn from the race after showing initial interest in the US generics firm, which is valued at about $700 million.The Economic Times said Ranbaxy may be the front runner.

The spokeswoman for Dr Reddy's said the company was never interested in Par Pharma, while the spokesman for Ranbaxy declined comment.Lupin, Wockhardt and Sun Pharma also declined comment.

Ranbaxy, India's top drug maker by sales, said last month that the United States was one of the regions where it was seeking an acquisition.