New, improved insulin by 2006

Pharmaceutical major Wockhardt Ltd on Saturday claimed it has developed a form of long-lasting insulin called Glargin and plans to launch it in India by 2006.

"Glargin would have the ability to help maintain the blood sugar level better," Chairman Habil Khorakiwala said in Chennai, while launching India's first automatic insulin delivery device Wosulin Pen.

He added that the company had now established two joint ventures in Mexico and South Africa, where the Wosulin crystals would be manufactured.

Wockhardt has produced 36 'registrations' of which nine have already hit the market, he said, adding the remaining 27 would hit the markets this year.