India’s Torrent Pharma to supply 18 generic drugs to AstraZeneca for 9 emerging markets

AstraZeneca has entered into a license and supply agreement with  Indian firm Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd tol supply 18 generic products to nine emerging markets.

As per the deal Torrent will supply a portfolio of generic medicines to AstraZeneca for which the Indian company already has licenses in a range of countries.

AstraZeneca will brand Torrent generics and sell them in many of its emerging markets, using its marketing force.

Initially, AstraZeneca will purchase from Torrent the licenses and market authorizations for 18 products in nine countries.

The AstraZeneca-Torrent agreement allows the flexibility to add further products and new countries, the Anglo-Swedish company said in a press statement.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Torrent will manufacture the medicines as per AstraZeneca’s quality and process standards.

“ Working in partnership with Torrent will extend the range of branded medicines we can offer to patients in emerging markets, where we see continuing opportunities for our business to grow,” stated Tony Zook, head of AstraZeneca’s global commercial organisation.

AstraZeneca has chosen Torrent because of their complementary product portfolio and proven ability to manufacture to AstraZeneca’s high quality standards, he added.

In January, Pfizer reached a similar collaboration with India’s Strides Arcolab on the supply of 40 generic products.

Under the new collaboration Pfizer will commercialize Stride’s off-patent sterile injectable and oral products in the United States through its Established Products Business Unit.

These finished dosage form products will be licensed and supplied by Strides and Onco Laboratories Limited and Onco Therapies Limited, two joint ventures between Strides and Aspen, South Africa, in which each has a 50% ownership interest.

The first of the products commercialized under Pfizer-Strides collaboration is expected to be launched in 2010.Pfizer’s deal with Strides Arcolab follows two similar alliances last year with Aurobindo and Claris LifeSciences of India.

In May, Pfizer, the world’s largest drug maker, acquired rights to 55 generic  pills and 20 injectables for more than 70 emerging and developed markets through new deals.

Pfizer Inc, also entered into a licensing pact with Indian generic injectables producer Claris Lifesciences besides expanding it present alliance with Aurobindo.

Pfizer has expanded the existing collaboration with the Hyderabad, South India-based Aurobindo Pharma Ltd reached earlier this year to sell 60 off-patent drugs. Meanwhile Pfizer’s agreement with Claris Lifesciences Ltd is to market 15 off-patent injectable drugs.

In February, Indoco Remedies Ltd., a Mumbai-based generic company, announced a technology licensing agreement to produce generics with   Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Under the agreement Indoco will develop and manufacture a number of sterile products to Watson for the United States market.

In June 2009, the British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline plc has sealed an agreement with India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd to develop and market over 100 branded generic products across a number of emerging markets, excluding India.

The British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline plc has sealed an agreement with India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd to develop and market over 100 branded generic products across a number of emerging markets, excluding India.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will gain exclusive access to Dr. Reddy’s portfolio and future pipeline of more than 100 branded pharmaceuticals in therapeutic segments such as cardiovascular, diabetes, oncology, gastroenterology and pain management.

The emerging markets are forecast to contribute around 70 per cent of pharmaceutical industry growth in the next five years, and branded generics represent approximately 50 per cent by value in these emerging markets.  AstraZeneca believes it can capitalise on this opportunity and over time plans to broaden its portfolio beyond these initial 18 products.