SKINCARE specialist Dermasalve is expecting sales of its new anti-bird flu hand gel to be so popular it is already planning to expand its market across Asia - even before the product has been launched.

The Newcastle-based plc is manufacturing one million units of the SafeCleanse gel, which it says is 99.9 per cent effective against the H5N1 virus, at its site in Thailand, ahead of the launch in March next year.

But the company is anticipating the product to be so popular, it is stockpiling another three million units of the gel to cope with demand.

Dermasalve bosses have said they are planning to set up additional manufacturing sites in Thailand before the end of next year, as well as looking at selling the product in neighbouring countries, including India and China.

Although the company did not give out figures about how much money it expects to make from the venture, it has however, predicted a five per cent net royalty on sales.

That sum will be in addition to the 49 per cent stake it holds in the Dermasalve Asia Pacific Limited (DAPL), the company's joint venture in the Far East, which will market the product.

DAPL said the company anticipated strong demand from the retail consumer and healthcare markers, and from Thailand's significant pig and poultry farming industries.

In a statement, the company said: "DAPL expects to develop additional manufacturing sites in the country during the coming year to meet demand.

"While Thailand is the initial and obvious target market, DAPL is well advanced in addressing the Indian, Chinese and Philippine markets as soon as manufacturing capacity and supply is available."

SafeCleanse hand gel- which is also 99.9 per cent effective against superbug MRSA - will only be available in Asia, and will be for sale in 50ml containers for £1.40.

Dermasalve - which was set up in 2003 by County Durham GP Dr Mark Randle - created DAPL earlier this year by joining with Far Eastern media company Bec Tero.

The newly-formed company has exclusive rights to distribute and market Dermasalve's products in the Far East, Asia and Australasia.