The Hindu Business Line : Ranbaxy enters into in-licence pact with Lupin for TB drug — Drug to be marketed in West, North Africa

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Ranbaxy enters into in-licence pact with Lupin for TB drug — Drug to be marketed in West, North Africa

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Ranbaxy will sell Lupin's TB brand, Akurit, complying with WHO norms in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Chad, Mauritania, and Congo.

New Delhi , Sept. 27

RANBAXY Laboratories has entered into an in-licensing agreement with Lupin Laboratories Ltd to market the latter's TB drug in some of the West and North African markets.

The alliance will leverage the combined strengths of Ranbaxy's marketing and distribution network and Lupin's expertise in the management of TB.

As per the arrangement, Ranbaxy will sell Lupin's TB brand, Akurit, a fixed dose combination, complying with WHO norms of dosage requirements, safety, patient compliance, and convenience, in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Chad, Mauritania, and Congo.

In an official statement, Mr Malvinder Mohan Singh, President (Pharmaceuticals) and Executive Director, said: "We are committed to reducing the incidence of disease in the developing world by making therapy accessible and affordable to all. We believe that this unique arrangement best combines the strengths of both companies in controlling TB in areas of Africa most severely impacted by this dreaded disease."

Dr K.K Sharma, Managing Director of Lupin, said: "We are delighted with this arrangement which will leverage Ranbaxy's field force and marketing strengths in West and North Africa to promote Lupin's TB brands."

The widespread incidence of TB in Africa was declared as an emergency after 46 Ministers of Health unanimously adopted a resolution at the WHO Africa Regional Committee in Maputo (Mozambique) on August 25.

This decision was taken after the committee took note of the fact that there are around 1,500 TB deaths every day in Africa and the disease kills half a million African people each year.

Africa is the only continent where the incidence of TB has been on the rise. In just 15 years, the spread of the disease has doubled; it has tripled in high HIV prevalent areas and quadrupled in countries worst affected by HIV and TB.

"While Lupin will gain easy market access, Ranbaxy will be able to build its basket of products to achieve critical mass in different markets."

On the BSE, the Ranbaxy scrip closed at Rs 507, while the Lupin stock closed at Rs 780.

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