Interview with Dr. Datla - Chairman & MD, Biological E Ltd.

“BE” -- Helping you celebrate life every day!

Medicine plays a vital role in human’s life. In olden days the person who diagnosis will prevent disease. However now-a-days one identifies and one prevents. Dr. Vijay Kumar Datla has chosen the right field and is helping the common man in their critical health care. Dr. Vijay Kumar Datla has strong support from his better half and children. His employees are part of the extended family and has given shape to the Pharma business.

Q. How did you venture into Pharmaceutical business?

A. Biological E Ltd was started shortly after independence, in 1953 by Dr. DVK Raju with the intention of bringing critical health care within easy access of the common man. With a vision to step from curing diseases to preventing disease at it’s root level, BE launched it’s biotechnology endeavours and commenced production of vaccines in the early 70’s.

Q. You have diverse business activities. Can you elucidate further?

A. Since its inception we have come a long way constantly expanding our horizons and enhancing our capabilities. Today, we enjoy a formidable presence in the field of vaccines, anti-coagulants and critical areas of Oncology, Cardiology and Childcare. Apart from our domestic pharmaceutical business, BE is a dominant player in the TB segment and exports its bulk actives throughout the world.

Q. Is your business family owned?

A. Yes, it is entirely owned by the family. In fact, up until 1994, Glaxo held 25% and due to their global strategy, they divested their stake to the family.

Q. Have you an in house R & D? If so, what percentage is allocated out of your annual turnover?

A. We have an in-house R&D for the past 40 years and it has led to many first time introduction of therapeutics in our country such as first combination vaccine in India – DPT. Over the years, we have invested around 3.5% of our turnover in to R&D and we are currently in the process of allocating over Rs.100 crores over the next three years for biotechnology and genomics initiatives.

Q. Now that Govt. of India has signed the WTO agreement on IPR, which comes into effect from 2005, how well established are you in the R&D? How well are you placed in this competitive market?

A. We have always demonstrated a remarkable strength in brand building capabilities. Our largest brands have been holding their positions as on of the top five brands in their respective therapeutic categories for several decades. Our recent product launches have also been accepted exceedingly well and have recorded the highest average prescriptions as compared to any new product launch in their categories. We have a reach to over 100,000 doctors, across all specialities, spanning the length and breadth of this country. The trust enjoyed by doctors for over 40 hears, coupled with our R&D strategy in the field of biotechnology and formulations makes us not just prepared but positioned to become a global player.

Q. What medicines are manufactured in your plant?

A. We are manufacturing different varieties. For more details, please visit our website www.biologicale.com

Q. Recently there was an announcement that you have entered a joint venture. Can you throw some light?

A. I assume you are speaking of our initiative with CCMB. We recently entered into a strategic research alliance with them in the area of genomics. This alliance is just the foundation for our new initiative in genomics – Genera life Sciences. Genera is in the process of collaborating with other research institutes all over the world and we have earmarked Rs.200 crores to be invested over the next four years in this area.

Q. How is pharmaceutical industries growth in Andhra Pradesh?

A. Even though AP enjoyed a frenzied activity in the early 90’s in the pharmaceuticals business, the industry consolidated to a few key players. But with the new initiatives undertaken by the government in the areas of biotechnology, I believe that AP will once again play a major role in building a new generation of companies who will become global competitors.

Q. What are your philanthropic activities? What is your philosophy about money?

A. Money is important in the sense that it allows BE to fulfil its obligation to our employees and their families, customers and its shareholders. It also enables us to take up philanthropic activities such as funding basic education, art and empowering the physically challenged – what we have been continuously practicing over the years.

Q. What is your contribution to the society and your message?

A. It can be said that BE has sacrificed a huge amount of profit by choosing to support the National Immunization Programme for over 30 years. This was a conscious decision to re-emphasize our belief that every child has a basic right to be free of disease. When a humble company such as BE can make such a remarkable difference in the lives of people, I appeal to those in a position to contribute, to take upon themselves any one such activity that helps society at large.

-- Interview by Ms. Lakshmi Mantha

Profile

The Chairman and Managing Director of Biological E Limited, Dr. Vijay Kumar Datla is in Pharma Business for more than three decades and has a vast and varied experience and expertise in this field.

Dr. Datla has a degree in Medicine from Manipal University and is backed with extensive training with Pharma Giants like M/s. N.V. Phillips Duphar, Holland, M/s. Evans Medical Limited, Liverpool and Allenbury’s, London to acquaint himself with the Advanced Management Practices and Policies.

Dr. Datla joined Biological E. Limited as Manager – Product Development and Medical Research in the year 1969 and subsequently went on to become the Managing Director of the company in the year 1974.

During his successful career, Dr. Datla won several prestigious awards like:

Order of Merit award for Managers Excellence from the Indian Council of Management. Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary Federation of Rotary International. Certificate of Membership (FCCP MCCP) from Association of College of Chest Physicians, India. Bharat Udyog Award for outstanding services, achievement and contribution by Industrial Exhibition Committee.

His dynamic leadership has paved the way for the company to its current position as one of the ten fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the country. At present Biological E. Limited (BE, as it is commonly referred to), is a $30 million pharmaceutical company which has earned a worthy reputation in the Indian Pharmaceutical industry, for nearly five decades, as the pioneers in preventive Medicare in the country. With a belief that every individual is entitled to immunity against disease, BE contributes vaccines like DPT, TT & ATS to support the government’s immunization programs. The company produces more than 400 million doses of vaccines annually, that directly saves millions of lives across the nation.

The company offers several therapeutic remedies ranging from Vitamins to Vaccines. It is also the pioneer in anti-TB drugs in India, a forerunner for preventive Medicare – Sera & Vaccines and the first to introduce life-saving anti-coagulants in the country.

With a strong presence in the field of vaccines, branded formulations and herbal products the company is committed to the cause of health and well being in India since 1953. Consequently, it has been consolidating and leveraging these core competencies, together with its strong and longstanding presence spread across India, which is now extended to more than twelve countries.

In the process, Dr. Datla has established a full fledged herbal division called “Biona” and a separate animal health division catering to the Animal care.

Dr. Datla with his team at BE have embarked on a mission of leveraging the company’s strengths in niche health care segments like Oncology, Paediatrics, Chest and anti-coagulants. This mission is made possible due to Company’s core belief in making the most of life, which is why at BE we don’t just combat illness in a variety of ways but find ways to enhance wellness.