Indiantelevision.com Team

(30 June 2006 7:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Pharmaceutical and biotechnology major Wockhardt Ltd has announced that it acquired Dumex India Pvt LTD along with its two products Protinex and Farex, from Royal Numico NV of The Netherlands, for an undisclosed amount, according to an official release issued today.

Under the agreement, Royal Numico will also offer technical know-how to Wockhardt for the manufacture of specialised sugar-free infant food products currently marketed in India and internationally, under its brand names Dulac and Dupro. These brands are fast gaining acceptance in the Indian market. Currently these products are imported from New Zealand and Malaysia.

Wockhardt will change the acquired company's name 'Dumex' within six months.

The release states that Protinex acquired by Dumex from Pfizer in 2002, is the market leader and the largest prescribed brand in its category, growing over 20 per cent in volume in recent years. A growing OTC (over-the-counter) segment of consumers has also emerged over the years, who consume the brand for everyday health.

Farex, currently the third largest selling infant nutrition formula in the cereals category, was acquired by Dumex from Heinz, who bought it from Glaxo.