Growth in quarter driven by generics: Lupin

Below is an edited transcript of the interview on CNBC-TV18.

Q: Could you explain the growth in the topline for this quarter? What was the impact of the depreciation in currency?

A: Overall, the growth in the topline is 44% as compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Around 7% of that is accounted for by the depreciation in the rupee. The balance of the growth in the business itself is about 37% which I think is a very robust rate for the company and as in other quarters, even in this quarter there has been all-round growth. The US pharma market has grown 41%, Indian pharma grew at 24% and Japan posted 12% growth.

I think that the lifeline of the pharma business is in new products. So you know very well that in America we had a good run and in India, we have been regularly launching products both through our own R&D as well as through licensed venues. We have just signed an agreement with Novartis to launch their Onbrez brand for asthma. In Japan also we have launched new products. So that is the story as far as the growth is concerned.

Q: What exactly was the contribution from new launches such as Combivir, Fortamet as well as Geoden generic in the US?

A: We don't share product-wise revenues, but growth overall was 41% primarily driven by generics because as you know this is not the season for Suprax. This is rather weak quarter as the flu outbreak in the US was reduced. So, growth has been primarily driven by the generic business.

Q: What is the timeline for Suprax in terms of line extension launches? When can we expect that from Lupin and how did other branded formulation products perform this quarter?

A: It is very difficult for me to predict the approval timing for the line extensions as much as we would like to remain optimistic. I think we have seen some good approvals from the FDA in the recent past across the industry and it is because of that particular development that I feel optimistic that we too should expect our share of approvals.

As far as Antara is concerned, I think it has done better than last quarter. There is increase in prescriptions, but it still has to take off in right earnest.

Q: Talking about the Japanese markets, could you outline how Kyowa and Irom performed this quarter and what would be the guidance going ahead?

A: Overall growth in Japan was about 12-13% in yen terms. In rupee terms, it will be as high as 38-39% because the rupee depreciation. On the completion of a quarter in out stables, Irom recorded profit in the order of about 175 million yen.