Mumbai: Former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has expressed his vision of seeing India as a hub for scientific research and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and has challenged the Indian pharmaceutical industry to set itself a target of producing 40 per cent of world's generic medicines.

He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Alembic Ltd, where he was the chief guest and the keynote speaker.

In recent times, a number of Indian pharmaceutical companies have been getting sued over patent issues, such as the recent spat between Cipla and Roche over a lung cancer treatment drug. (See: Cipla to continue selling its version of Roche's lung cancer treatment drug) and also Ranbaxy and Glaxosmithkline (See: Ranbaxy announces settlement of possible Imitrex litigation with Glaxosmithkline)

Independent research organisation Datamonitor had predicted a destabilisation of global pharmaceutical majors on account of patent expiries. (See: Patent expiries destabilise global pharmaceutical majors, says Datamonitor research )

Clearly seeing the opportunities in the sector, Dr Kalam has laid out a fresh mandate for the country's pharmaceutical ndustries.

Earlier in the celebrations, Chirayu R Amin, chairman and managing director of Alembic Ltd in his welcome speech assured the dignitaries that Alembic would continue to be socially responsible, knowledge driven and people centric organization. He said "After reaching 100 years, we confidently and proud enter the next centenary with a rich history, experience and value system. Alembic is looking at the future with confidence and our next target is to touch Rs2000 crore turnover in the next four years".

To reach the Rs2000 crore mark, Alembic is evaluating both organic and inorganic opportunities to grow its business, and expects international business to contribute almost 45 per cent of its total revenues in the next four years. Presently, the company makes 25 per cent of its from the current 25 per cent.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour, and praised Chirayu Amin and his family members for 100 successful years of service to humanity by producing and marketing quality drugs at affordable price. He also announced setting up a Bio Technology Park in the city of Vadodara.

Dr Kalam and Modi released a set of two books on 100 Year Journey of Alembic Ltd. Dr Kalam also touched upon various opportunities awaiting the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in fields of collaborative research with national research laboratories for curing diseases like TB, Typhoid, Malaria, etc.

Alembic has an USFDA approved API manufacturing facility at Panelav near Vadodara. The Company recently bought an API manufacturing facility of Nirayu Pvt Ltd in Gujarat, which will further strengthen its API (bulk drug) portfolio. The Company's formulation facility at Panelav has also been successfully inspected by USFDA And a formal approval is expected shortly.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2007 the Company recorded sales of Rs759 crore. which is more than the annual sales of Rs 721 crore in the previous financial year. In the current year the Company is confident to touch Rs 1000 crore mark."