Fermentation and biotechnology have been identified as the key thrust areas for RLSL with a target to double the turnover to Rs 500 crore over the next three years, RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh V Goenka said in a news conference here today.

The proposed joint venture with Sumitomo of Japan could be formalised in the third quarter of 1999-2000 if all goes well and household insecticides would be one of the major thrust areas for the agrochemicals division in the days ahead, Goenka said.

He said RLSL is also seeking to tie-up with Mumbai University's University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) to carry out basic research in pharmaceuticals. RLSL will introduce new products in the anti-cancer and renal therapy segmentsand to achieve greater focus, a new `critimed' division would be launched soon to cater to the needs of intensive care treatment, he said.

RPG recently reached an agreement with G D Searle for manufacture and marketing of their brands for a period of 50 years. The agreement for use of Searle name was to expire on March 31, 2000.

Goenka said it is a matter of great pride for RPG that live saving anti-cancer bulk drug Doxorubicin as well as immuno-suppressant Cyclosporin have been successfully produced for the first time in the country. ``We will continue focussing on these products and increase presence in other fermentation products such as vitamin B2 and vitamin B12,'' he said.

He estimated the company's turnover to increase by 15 per cent in 1999-2000 to around Rs 240 crore. Turnover of pharma division would be Rs 100 crore, up by 12 per cent and agrochemicals business Rs 140 crore, up by 14 per cent.