Lupin name on Baltimore building marks drug company's expansion

Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has placed its name in lights over the Inner Harbor, a mark of the Indian drug manufacturer's growing presence since the company located its U.S. headquarters in Baltimore more than a decade ago.

Lupin, which today sells about 70 different generic products in the United States, started with three people in small offices at the World Trade Center in the early 2000s. It now employs more than 60 people on two floors at 111 S. Calvert Street, part of a U.S. workforce about 200-strong, said Mary Furlong, executive vice president of corporate development.

"When you called you probably didn't know much about our company and most people don't," Furlong said. "We thought it was important to put our name out there, to signal to people that this is a good, growing company here in the U.S."

The Baltimore offices focus on sales and marketing, as well as human resources and financing. Research and development historically has occurred in India, but the company opened a research and development center in Florida last year, and plans to announce a second R & D facility this year.

Lupin is looking "very seriously" at Maryland for the site, Furlong said.

"We're very happy to be here in Baltimore and we're happy to be in the position that we've been expanding," she said.

Lupin first selected Baltimore for its proximity to the Food and Drug Administration, as well as connections to the Northeast corridor, Furlong said.

The company acquired signage rights after it expanded its space last summer, adding a second floor, Furlong said. The name was placed above the company's 21st floor offices on Saturday, April 5, and lit for the first time Tuesday, April 8, according to Christopher Schardt, senior general manager for building owner General Growth Properties.

Lupin Pharmaceuticals is the U.S. subsidiary of Lupin Limited. Headquartered in Mumbai, Lupin has been in business for more than 45 years and is one of India's top five pharmaceutical companies, according to its website.