Bio_Spectrum_July_2017

(^12) COMPANY NEWS l BioSpectrum | July 2017 | http://www.biospectrumindia.com
Multinational drugmaker Pfizer Ltd has agreed to buy AstraZeneca’s
heartburn drug Neksium in India for Rs. 75 crore.
The drug is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Pfizer had inked an agreement with AstraZeneca in 2012 to
acquire the global rights for
the over-the-counter rights
on Nexium (esomeprazole
magnesium) for $250, with
royalty payments to Sweden-
based AstraZeneca. The India
transaction though is on
AstraZeneca’s prescription
drug Neksium that was
launched here in 2006,
Pfizer would be acquiring on
the brand and trademark.
The product belongs to the
classification called ‘Proton
Pump Inhibitors’ (PPI) used
to reduce acid secretion in
the stomach. The Neksium
acquisition is aligned with the
company’s stated ambition of
portfolio expansion through
organic and inorganic growth
in the focus therapy areas.
With this acquisition, Pfizer
will accelerate its growth and strengthen their leadership position in
the Gastrointestinal (GI) therapy area.
Last year, Pfizer had agreed to buy AstraZeneca’s small antibiotics
business globally in a $1.5 billion deal. In the past though, Pfizer and
AstraZeneca’s relationship has been tumultuous after Pfizer made a
$100 billion plus bid to acquire AstraZeneca in 2014.
Ozone Ayurvedics, a company operating under
the aegis of Ozone Group of Companies, has
launched a herbal solution for dry eyes that is
enriched with 11 organic herbal actives.
ITIS Plus Care Eye Drops is designed to keep
eyes well-lubricated, nourished, healthy and
sparkling. This ophthalmic topical preparation
is first-of-its-kind artificial tear drops. ITIS
Plus Care Eye Drops is a sterile, isotonic
Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) 0.3%,
containing poly-herbal formulation to be used
as therapeutic eye lubricant. It is designed to
protect against eye strain and tear film loss by
keeping eyes moist and nourished.
A large number of Indians today suffer from
eye issues such as fatigue, dryness, irritation,
itchiness, infection, swollen eyelid, burning
sensation and grittiness.
This innovative eye drop offers a superior,
efficacious and safe herbal solution to all the
aforesaid problems as its basic formulation is
clinically and scientifically proven by clinical trial
(including 85 patients) conducted at Dr Rajendra
Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New
Delhi.
The company has secured
United States Food and Drugs
Administration (USFDA) approval
for five of its drugs, which it plans
to start exporting during the current
financial year. These are generic
drugs for cardiac ailments.
Lupin already makes the
branded version of these drugs
for the domestic market. With
approval of the generic medicines,
Lupin is specifically targeting the
US market.
So far, the company was carrying
out research and development
work at the Mihan plant. Now,
commercial production can begin
as the approvals from USFDA have
been secured. The company has
put up 20 drugs for approval out of
which it has got USFDA green signal
for five. The process continues for
the rest.
The 25 acre plant in Mihan
has dedicated 15 acres for tablets
and 9 acres for injectables. The
injectables for cancer treatment are
part of the company’s future plans.
Under development at present, the
injectables are expected to be put up
for approval after two years.
Pfizer acquires AstraZeneca’s
heartburn drug in India
Ozone Ayurvedics launches herbal eye drops
Lupin Pharma gets
USFDA approval
for five drugs