
TOKYO -- In an unprecedented step among leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies, Eisai has decided to sell active pharmaceutical ingredients to domestic generic drug makers.
In preparation, Eisai will invest several billion yen (tens of millions of dollars) to double the production capacity of its manufacturing facility in southern India to 60 tons a year. The new lines are scheduled to become operational at the end of 2017. The additional annual output of 30 tons at the plant in Andhra Pradesh will account for more than 10% of Eisai's total capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredients.