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Citi Pharma’s JV to boost local drug production | The Express Tribune

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KARACHI:

Citi Pharma Limited, the leading manufacturer of Paracetamol in Pakistan, has announced its venture into a joint partnership with a renowned Chinese firm. The objective is to locally produce 30 ingredients for medicines, aiming to reduce imports by approximately Rs10-15 billion annually.

The company plans to establish a new production line, with an estimated investment ranging from Rs15-20 billion, in collaboration with Hangzhou Newsea Technology Co Ltd. Commercial production of these pharmaceutical ingredients is expected to commence within the next 12-18 months, as projected by a local research firm.

In a notification to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, Citi Pharma revealed that the joint venture, named Etaci Limited (Public Limited Company), will primarily focus on manufacturing the remaining portion of APIs not currently produced by Citi Pharma Limited. This strategic move is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its product portfolio.

Citi Pharma currently manufactures approximately 20 to 22 APIs to meet various medical needs. However, acknowledging the evolving healthcare landscape and the growing demand for diverse pharmaceutical products, the company aims to enhance its product range. Through the proposed joint venture with Hangzhou Newsea Technology Co Ltd, “Citi Pharma Limited plans to manufacture an additional 30 APIs, effectively expanding its range of offerings.”

Topline Research’s Deputy Head, Sunny Kumar stated in a commentary that the management of Citi Pharma revealed plans to set up another plant, expected to be operational within the next 6-8 months, with commercial operations slated to begin in the subsequent 12-18 months. The total CAPEX (capital expenditure/cost) for the project, estimated at Rs15-20 billion, will be financed through a combination of debt and equity, he added.

Under the legal structure of Etaci Limited, Citi Pharma Limited will retain a controlling interest of 65%, with Hangzhou Newsea Technology Co holding the remaining 35%. This collaboration aims to decrease reliance on imported products, thus enhancing cost efficiency, supply chain resilience, and reducing the import bill.

“This joint venture is expected to generate an annual turnover of more than Rs15 billion, with a projected cost of sale around Rs10.50 billion, resulting in a gross profit of Rs4.50 billion,” stated the notification.

Moreover, the joint venture is anticipated to benefit from Citi Pharma Limited’s existing infrastructure and resources, thereby minimising operating costs and streamlining production processes, ultimately leading to higher net profit margins.

Through this partnership, the company aims to leverage its collaborator’s expertise and resources while capitalising on emerging opportunities in the pharmaceutical landscape. This collaboration brings together Citi Pharma Limited’s API manufacturing proficiency with Hangzhou Newsea Technology Co Ltd’s technological capabilities, fostering innovation and efficiency in API production.

The Citi notification further reads that the decision to pursue this joint venture underscores the company’s proactive approach toward sustainable growth and technology transfer to Pakistan. It aligns with Citi Pharma Limited’s commitment to innovation and growth in the pharmaceutical industry, aiming to meet evolving healthcare needs while contributing to Pakistan’s economic development.

Furthermore, this joint venture aligns with the company’s vision for 2030, aiming to cultivate self-reliance and contribute to the national economy by producing essential API materials within Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2024.

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Pakistan

Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

The company decided to replace Bolan for its outdated design and lack of safety features. Amid its low sales, consumer demand for a modern replacement like Changan Karvaan increased.

Suzuki Every to Replace Bolan

Suzuki earlier mentioned that Every will replace Bolan, and one of its recent model was unveiled at a recent auto show.

The launch of Every models faced delays due to import challenges and it is expected to launch in mid October.

Suzuki Bolan Price in Pakistan

 

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Pakistan

Gold prices reach historic high in Pakistan – Pakistan Observer

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Your source for latest Pakistan, world news. Stay updated on politics, business, sports, lifestyle, CPEC, and breaking news. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive coverage.

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Pakistan

Stocks rally past 82,000 mark as investors bet on IMF deal approval

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A man uses a mobile phone as he takes a photo of the electronic board displaying share prices during a trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, on November 28, 2023. — Reuters

Stocks hit a record high on Friday, with the benchmark index topping the 82,000 mark as investors binged on big names amid forecasts of a further drop in inflation, strengthening the case for another rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan in its next monetary policy meeting, traders said.

The KSE-100 index jumped by 615.16 points, or 0.76%, to reach 82,074.44 from its previous close of 81,459.28.

The index, fuelled by buying activity in heavyweight shares, rallied nearly 900 points during the opening hours of trading before succumbing to profit-taking in the latter half of the session, trimming early gains.

Analysts attributed this bull run to expectations of a sharp drop in inflation and interest rates. They added that government securities now have a kinked yield curve, with 2-year and 5-year yields above the 3-year yield.

Buying activity was seen in key sectors, including cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, and refineries, with index-heavy stocks such as MEBL, UBL, ENGRO, and FFC trading in the green.

Experts added that part of the positivity comes from investors anticipating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board’s approval.

The IMF is scheduled to review Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), amounting to about $7 billion, on September 25.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rose on improved local macroeconomic indicators and a larger-than-expected reduction by the Federal Reserve, with the KSE-100 index closing at 81,459.29, a gain of 997.95 points or 1.24%.

Meanwhile, world stocks hovered near record highs on Friday, underpinned by a big interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve earlier this week, while the yen eased after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda tempered market expectations around imminent rate hikes, according to Reuters.

The dollar climbed 1.2% on the Japanese currency to 144.29 – its strongest in two weeks – on the back of Ueda’s remarks, having earlier fallen around 0.6% to 141.74 after the BOJ kept interest rates steady in a widely expected move.

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PSX surges 1,510 points, crosses 81,000 mark amid positive economic signals – Pakistan Observer

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KARACHI –  Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday experienced a major surge of 1,510 points which resulted in the index crossing the 81,000-point level, rising to 81,971 points.

The factors such as expectations of receiving approval for a loan program from the IMF this month, a gradual reduction in the external financial gap and loan-related difficulties, a growth of 2.38% in large-scale industries, and the Asian Development Bank’s indication of providing $8 billion in loans over the next four years contributed to this bullish trend in the Pakistan Stock Exchange, allowing the index to surpass the psychological level of 81,000 points.

Besides it, the State Bank’s decision to reduce interest rates by 2% has positively impacted capital market activities while recoveries in the textile, food, chemical, auto, and garments sectors have kept the market in the green zone since the start of trading.

 

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