Fine chemicals: Asian invasion to continue.(PHARMACEUTICALS)(Cover story)(Brief article)

Asia's share of the global pharma fine chemical sector is forecast to increase through 2007 as companies in India and China in particular continue to grow their international sales, analysts say. A string of leading Indian pharma fine chemical manufacturers including Jubilant Organosys (Noida, India) secured sales growth of above 30% in 2006, and they say they expect to maintain that growth rate through 2007.

Major manufacturers of pharmaceuticals continue to face rising R&D costs and relatively tougher markets. Aggressive health care cost-containment efforts in the U.S., combined with rising R&D costs, will adversely impact these companies in the year ahead, industry …