Indian company Bal Pharma has begun a clinical study of an anti-HIV herbal drug developed by an ayurvedic company in Kerala, according to India's Financial Express.

The drug is expected to be launched in the next six months, if the results from the clinical tests prove positive.

Administering the drug prevents an HIV patient from reaching the AIDS level, Bal Pharma vice-president (marketing) VR Kannan said.

Bal Pharma is the sole bulk drug manufacturer of the popular anti-diabetic drug Gliclazide in India.

During the current fiscal year, the company expects to post a net profit of Rs50 million (€1.08m) with a turnover of Rs800 million (€17.4m). Last year, the company posted a net profit of Rs10.93 million.

The company is also in talks with a US company to import DNA recombinant human insulin to cater for the Indian insulin market, Mr Kannan said.