The company's latest annual report indicates that planned launches include Vaxcem Hib for hib meningitis and Morupar to immunize children from mumps, measles and rubella (MMR). These vaccines will be initially imported and marketed by the company.

The other brands slated for launch include Tavanic (levofloxacin), a broad spectrum antibiotic essentially for the treatment of respiratory tract infection and Cardace-H, a combination of ramipril with hydrochlorothiazide with improved efficacy in reducing blood pressure. Tavanic will be the first once a day quinolone in the management of respiratory tract infections.

Cardace H, the report adds, will provide greater value addition interms of improved efficacy, improved tolerability and facilitate an improvement in patient compliance. The company says that it will conduct medical symposia for doctors on the management of cardiovascular disorders, besides organising hypertension detection drives to aid early detection of the ailment.

Hoechst's product launch plans comes even as the company has managed to restore its sagging export business to around 50 per cent of normal levels since early this year. The company's export business was adversely affected following the crisis in Russia and Ukraine in 1998.

The annual report adds that 1998-99 saw HMR India's entry into the insulin tender market via the debt-rupee route. Exports accounted for 13 per cent of the German giant's turnover of Rs 528.8 crores in 1998-99. Exports fell sharply to Rs 68.8 crores in 1998-99 from Rs 121.3 crores in 1997-98.

However, while the company expects the problems on the exports front to continue in 1999-2000, it adds that incremental tender business isunder negotiation for select products there.

Meanwhile, the company will seek shareholder approval at the forth-coming annual general meeting for the appointment of SC Ghoge, presently an alternate director to J M Volat, as whole-time director of the company for a period of five years with effect from January 4, 1999. Approval will also be sought for the appointment of F X Roger, head, (financial controlling) at Hoechst Marion Roussel Asia Pacific, as director of the Indian subsidiary.