Chennai, Dec 16 : The $3.6 billion turnover Hospira Inc, a US-based pharmaceutical major, is looking out for Indian partners for its medical devices business here.

"We will continue to see India for partners for our medical devices business," Ron Squarer, senior vice-president of the firm, told IANS here Wednesday.

He was here to announce the acquisition of the city-based Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Ltd's generic injectible business for $400 million.

Hospira manufactures monitoring systems and suction pumps.

While that is for the future, Hospira in the meanwhile plans to increase the headcount at its research and development here acquired from Orchid Chemicals.

"In the first phase, we will be integrating the acquisitions from Orchid Chemicals with our global operations. In the second phase we will look for opportunities to leverage local plant for global markets and also explore plans to increase the headcount at the R&D centre," Sumant Ramachandra, chief scientific officer, told IANS.

Squarer answered in the negative to the question of Hospira consolidating its Indian presence.

The American company has a 50:50 joint venture with Zydus Cadila for manufacture of oncological drugs. The company started operations this May.

"We have no plans to buyout the joint venture partner in that company," he said.(IANS)