Elder Pharma managing director, Jagdish Saxena, told The Financial Express that the hepatitis drug, branded Zadaxin (thymosin alpha 1), is slated to hit the market in April-May and is currently being used by the army. In the case of Trifausal, trials have already been completed and a launch is planned by June.

Zadaxin, an original discovery of Hoffman La Roche and currently under patents, would eventually be manufactured in India and even exports are being contemplated. The product is doing exceedingly well in SE Asia and cost of treatment could be in the region of $ 4,000 per annum.

On the company's recent alliance with Stafford Miller of the UK, for distributing the $ 1 billion Sensodyne desensitising toothpaste in India, Saxena said that the partners plan to eventually manufacture the product domestically, possibly at Patalganga in Maharashtra. There is no royalty payable under the alliance.

Sensodyne, a prescription product, is expected to notch sales of at least Rs 10-15 crore and will not compete with regular brands like Colgate, Pepsodent etc. Saxena added that yet another product from the Stafford Miller stable, Alfosyl (for skin psoriasis) is being test marketed in the country.

Meanwhile, Elder Pharma is likely to set an offer price of Rs 110 (including premium) for its Rs 54 cr IPO. The issue is being lead-managed by SBI Caps and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and the draft offer document has already been filed with the Sebi. Saxena said that if all goes well, the issue should hit the market by mid-February, though this is subject to statutory approvals. All Elder Pharma employees can apply and a firm allotment of up to 4 per cent, at the same price, could be made to employees.

Post public issue the promoter group, the Saxena family and associate companies, will hold roughly 27 per cent of the equity capital, while NRI investors, the Hamlai's of Muscat, will hold roughly 26 per cent equity in the Elder Pharma.