Baxter to kick-start operations at Manesar plant

Baxter India, the Delhi-based IV solutions provider, in its move towards consolidating its position in the IV fluid segment in the country, is all set to kick start operations at its plant at Manesar, near Delhi, that is designed to manufacture CAPD system for home dialysis of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), VIAFLEX flexible bags for IV infusion, particularly in critical care segment. The company would start trial runs next month and commercial production is scheduled for third quarter of this year. Building up local manufacturing capability on international quality range of products is our strategy for India, say top sources in Baxter India.

At phase-I of the project, Baxter will be investing about Rs.35 crore leaving scope for subsequent expansion of capacity and an additional Rs.10-15 crore would be earmarked depending on the market scenario. The plant will start up at very low capacity utilisation and hence the company is expecting a loss figure in the first year of operation. However, with growth in renal patients due in large measure to Baxter’s top class clinical coordinators – the company is expecting to corner profit in the second year so as to reinvest in further expansion of capacity and capability.

After the recent Rs.195 crore acquisition of the IV Fluid facility of Wockhardt Life Sciences, Baxter’s immediate priority is to ensure speedy closure of the Wockhardt transaction and to set on assimilating the new team and facilities, said company sources. It would have to address the issue of familiarising the new team with Baxter’s work culture, values and style. On plans for acquisition of the Ahmedabad-based Core Parenterals the sources said that "Baxter does not want to comment on market speculation but we will continue to evaluate growth opportunities by alliances and acquisitions and fully participate in the evolving healthcare opportunities of the future."

Baxter is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully transparent, flexible IV containers that deliver sterile infusions for critical care therapies. The technology pioneered by Baxter has now emerged as the world’s most used IV delivery system. Baxter intends to offer its Indian customers – clinicians, hospitals, etc. the same product and features that are available to their counterparts elsewhere in the world. This product is said to have significant clinical advantages over traditional glass bottles and semi-rigid containers. With its three manufacturing plants located in three different regions of the country, it aims to deliver outstanding value to its customers and supporters nationwide.

Invol obtains CE certification for blood bags

Invol Medical India Ltd, engaged in manufacturing a range of blood transfusion and infusion solution bags, has been awarded the CE certification for its products. Amtac Mediqa, UK, the assessing body, accorded the certification to the company. The company has been certified CEO473 in compliance with the Annex II of the Medical Devices Directive 93/43/EEC of the European Economic Community. Further, Amtac Mediqa has also certified the company, ISO 9001: 1994 and EN 46001: 1996 for the quality system for the requirement for design, manufacture and inspection of blood bags.

The state-of-the-art facility, a 100 percent export oriented unit, of the company has an installed capacity of 7.2 million bags per annum. The facility commenced operation in April 2001. The company in the meanwhile, has also entered the domestic market for the single blood bags. According to AC Karthikeyan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, the company has already bagged good orders. The company had received the Drug Controller General of India’s nod to market blood bags in the country last year.