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Indian pharma industry is in an aggressive mode to combat bacterial and fungal infections with novel topical formulations. This is going by the fall in immunity, increasing environmental conditions, climate change, pollution, rise in stress across age-groups and growing number of bed ridden patientsin the geriatric segment specifically in dermatology, said Sridhar Kumar Shetty, managing director, Nemus Pharmaceuticals.
The global topical drug delivery market in terms of revenue is estimated to be worth $207.4 billion as of 2022 and is poised to reach $317.8 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2022 to 2027. The industry growth is primarily driven by the rising incidence of skin disorders and diabetes. According to the British Journal of Dermatology, skin diseases affect almost one-third of the global population.
Quoting the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Shetty said that an estimated over 94 million Europeans too suffer from skin burning, itch, and dryness. Therefore innovation in topical drug formulations and associated product launches in major regions is projected to drive industry growth.
Gauging the promising growth prospects in this space, Nemus Pharmaceuticals which already had a cosmetic manufacturing facility in Dharwad in Karnataka embarked on a brownfield expansion for the production of ethically promoted topical drugs. The company has now set up a WHO-GMP compliant production plant for the manufacture of medicated creams, ointments, dusting powders, solution, soaps, shampoos & lotions with innovative technology.
We decided on Dharwad because it is centrally located and is well connected by air, rail & road services. Nemus’ new topical drugs facility has been constructed under the supervision of a leading pharma consultant. The company has adhered to all WHO GMP norms. Our topical formulations would be for dermatology, surgery, general medicine, orthopedics, gynecology among other super specialties. These products manufactured would not require any device for its delivery, Shetty told Pharmabiz.
With this WHO GMP the company will sets its eyes on new global markets in the Asia sub- continent, Africa, Middle East & CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) comprising 8 member states of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This apart considerable demand is seen in the US and Europe too where many of the topical formations can be marketed as OTC (over-the- counter). As far as India is concerned Nemus has an established name in topical drugs and has a significant share in the segment. Moreover topical preparations are an important segment in pharmaceuticals not just in India but the overseas in past few years because of increase in bacterial and fungal infections of varied regions. This sees the company’s keenness to go ahead with EU and NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), Nigeria regulatory approvals soon, stated Shetty.
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