The Himalaya Drug Company (HDC) is setting up a Rs.165-crore R&D and manufacturing unit in Bidadi. The project is expected to be completed by 2005.

HDC President & CEO Ravi Prasad said the center will conduct research to develop drugs for tropical diseases like malaria and typhoid.

On its latest product 'Himalaya Forest Honey', Prasad said the brand would target 10 percent of the Rs.45 crore honey market (5000 tonnes) in the current financial year.