News of the award came on the back of Cipla securing new first time government tenders valued at nearly R100 million over two years, the company achieving year to date sales of R1 billion as at the end of October 2009, and the finalization of plans to bring 20 oncology drugs to market in the new year.

In the Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award, the following criteria were used to benchmark Cipla Medpro's performance against key competitors: growth strategy and implementation, degree of innovation in business processes, products and/or technologies and leadership in customer value and market penetration.

 "The company's growth strategy is displayed in both its expanding geographic footprint as well as the diversification of its unique product mix," noted Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jolize Gerber. "The company is growing its South African business by concentrating its efforts on establishing a stronger presence in the local market across numerous therapeutic categories as well as the fast-growing Over The Counter market and, despite adverse market conditions, has enjoyed a solid recent performance in the past year."

The company has exhibited continued growth in its existing products and reveals a strong pipeline of new products.

"Cipla Medpro creates and maintains strong brands by ensuring a robust pipeline of novel, high potential products, and by providing ongoing promotions and market support," adds Gerber.  "These efforts support Cipla Medpro in growing its market share in the South African market."

"We are extremely proud of the Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award which acknowledges our efforts in making world class healthcare affordable in South Africa, as well as the success of our growth strategy," said Jerome Smith, Cipla Medpro CEO. "Cipla has been the fastest growing pharmaceutical company by value for the past 3 years and that growth continues, as reflected in our year to date sales figures of R1 billion."

In the recent round of state tenders, the bulk of the products awarded to Cipla fell within the RT281 semi-solid dosage tender and include Over The Counter (OTC) products such as Alkafizz, Gastrolyte and Acitop. The company also obtained tenders under the RT297 for the supply of insulin needles and the RT290 oncology tender for the provision of cytoplastin. This is the first time the company has been awarded these tenders.

Smith said approximately R50 million - R60 million of the products won on the tenders would be manufactured locally at the group's state of the art manufacturing facility in Durban. 

Smith also said the launch of the Cipla Medpro oncology division in the new year is on track. The division will commence with 20 molecules targeting a host of cancers, including breast, colon and lung, three of the leading causes of cancer related deaths globally, as well as ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Smith said it's likely that Cipla will boast the most comprehensive portfolio locally.

"The launch of our oncology division will augment our already comprehensive portfolio of scientifically advanced medicines and bring us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that world class medicines targeting many of today's most challenging disease categories are affordable to all South Africans,"  he said.

ends

Contact: Ros Walsh
Tel: 031 275 9700
ros@ciplamedpro.co.za