Bangalore-based Himalaya Drug Company is launching its new product for Hepatitis B next year, according to company officials.

Speaking to this paper on Tuesday, S.K.Mitra, Executive Director - Research & Technical Services, The Himalaya Drug Company said, "we are currently having 12 clinical trials on the Hepatitis B product in various institutes including All India Medical Sciences, Kolkata Medical College and Mahatma Gandhi Medical College. We plan to launch the product next year." "The company is also making progress on its studies on AIDS and cancer," he said.

Meanwhile, the herbal company announced its entry into the baby care segment on Tuesday. "There is a latent need for such herbal products in the market today," said Ravi Prasad, President & CEO of the company.

Himalaya has launched 7 products - Himalaya baby lotion, baby cream, moisturizing baby soap, nourishing baby oil, baby powder, diaper rash cream and baby shampoo.

According to Soumitro Banerji, Business Head, Personal Care Division, the brand target will be the new age parents residing in the top 30 cities in India.

He said that the brand, part of the personal care division will be promoted via advertising but initially the company would hold below the line activities at maternity homes, paediatric clinics and retail outlets, with the target to reach 10,000 new age parents by end of this fiscal.

Banerji said, "our target in the first full year after launch is to garner 5 percent of the market share in India. We expect this segment to contribute 10 percent to the personal care division." Prasad added that the company will export these products to developed countries including the US, Europe, Middle East and South East Asia towards the beginning of next year.

(From left) Soumitro Banerji, business head, personal care division, S.K.Mitra, research and technical services and Ravi Prasad, president and CEO of The Himalaya Drug Company at the launch of the herbal major's new baby care range in Bangalore on Tuesday.

The babycare segment in India, estimated at Rs 150 crore, is dominated by Johnson & Johnson with more than 70% market share.

Himalaya is aiming at a Rs. 400 crore turnover this fiscal, compared to last year's Rs. 350 crore. The personal care division is expecting Rs 70 crore in 2004-05 as against Rs 40 crore last fiscal.