Granules India

Granules India Limited is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in Hyderabad. Granules manufactures several off-patent drugs, including paracetamol, ibuprofen, metformin, and guaifenesin, on a large scale for customers in the regulated and rest of the world markets. Granules India Limited also operates in the contract research and manufacturing (CRAM) segment.

History

Granules India was formed in 1984 as Triton Laboratories. Triton produced Paracetamol API at its Bonthapally factory on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Triton scientists found a more efficient way to produce the paracetamol API, which led to lower capital and raw material requirements. In 1987, Triton became the only Indian company aside from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to export pharmaceutical products to the U.S.

Though Triton was growing as an API manufacturer, management decided it could create a value-added version of its product. In order to distinguish itself from competitors, Triton management pioneered the concept of manufacturing and selling bulk granulated paracetamol, also known as direct compressible grade material (DC) or “PFI.” In 1990, it opened its second manufacturing facility at Jeedimetla to produce multiple APIs.

In 1991, management set up a new entity, which was incorporated as Granules India Limited. Soon after, Granules applied the PFI concept to other APIs, set up a PFI facility at Jeedimetla, and began exporting the material to various markets, including the U.S., Germany, and Australia.

In 1995, Granules became a public company after having initial public offerings on the Bombay and Hyderabad Stock Exchanges.

In 2013, Granules India acquired Auctus Pharma for Rs 120 crore.

In 2016, Granules India commissioned a new state-of-the-art manufacturing unit that hosts facilities for oncology and high-potential APIs. This new plant is located in Visakhapatnam.

In order to secure API for its Ibuprofen PFI, Granules formed a joint venture with Hubei Biocause Heilen Pharmaceutical to create Granules Biocause in Wuhan, China. In 2019, Granules India Limited announced its intention to divest its entire equity shareholding in Granules Biocause Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. by selling its stake to a joint venture partner.

In June 2023, Granules India reported a cybersecurity breach, with the ransomware group LockBit claiming responsibility for the attack and alleging access to confidential data.

Infrastructure

Granules has seven manufacturing facilities; six are in India, while the seventh is through a joint venture with Hubei Biocase in Wuhan, China. The company also has two research centers, in Hyderabad and Pune.

The Gagillapur facility is located near Hyderabad and has a finished dosage block, a PFI block, and a research & development facility. Granules commissioned the world’s single largest PFI plant in Gagillapur in August 2003 with a batch size of 6 MT and an annual capacity of 7,200 MT per annum. The plant received its US FDA approval within six months of commissioning.