Indoco to supply generics to Watson Pharma in US

Indoco Remedies Ltd., a Mumbai-based generic company, has 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.

“This is a milestone deal for Indoco as out-licensing technology to a company of Watson’s scale is a remarkable achievement. Watson Pharmaceuticals deal has the potential to propel Indoco’s international business revenues to greater heights,” stated Suresh G. Kare, Chairman & Managing Director.

Indoco will provide API manufacturing, formulation development and manufacturing of the generic formulations for the selected products. Watson will prepare and file the Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) for US FDA approval and will have rights to market, sell and distribute these products in the US pharmaceutical market.

Further details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Development costs, including bio-study / clinical trials costs, legal fees and net profits from the sale of these products will be shared by Watson and Indoco in the agreed proportion, as mutually agreed by both Watson and Indoco,

Indoco will work together with Watson to explore the option of adding new products and territories to this initial arrangement.

Indoco Remedies is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of formulations (finished dosage forms) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in India.

Indoco has a well-built brand portfolio of 135 products in various therapeutic segments, including high growth life style segments such as anti-diabetics, cardiovascular, central nervous system, musculo-skeletal, nutrition and dental care.

Indoco has built a presence across the markets in Europe, USA, Asia, Africa, Latin America and other CIS countries. A number of its products have emerged as brand leaders in the Indian and in International markets. Indoco has made significant investments to build capabilities in API manufacturing and R & D services to enhance its visibility.

Indoco operates in over 35 countries globally for formulations and APIs. With approval of its finished dosage facilities by the US – FDA, Darmstadt – Germany, TGA Australia, MCC-South Africa and UK – MHRA, Indoco is a prtner of choice and provider of Contract Research and Manufacturing Services (CRAMS) to its customers globally.

Indoco-Watson deal ie the latest among the series of such generic-innovator alliances which has been happening since last year.

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

Pfizer’s new deal with Strides Arcolab follows two similar alliances last year with Aurobindo and Claris LifeSciences of India.

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.

In May last year, 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.

Pfizer has prioritized making licensing deals to expand its injectables business, in which it believes there are relatively few rivals and maintains it has a competitive cost structure.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer has acquired rights to 55 solid oral dose products and 20 sterile injectable products for patients in more than 70 emerging market countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

These medicines include antibiotics and anti-infectives, and cover a broad range of disease areas like cardiovascular and central nervous system disorders. Pfizer will commercialize the 60 products in phases tailoring its approach for different regions.

Pfizer will gain rights to 60 products to be sold in developing markets, where it is seeking to add $3 billion in annual sales by 2012.

Pfizer’s Established Products Business Unit launched its U.S. Injectables team less than 10 months ago and is already marketing products in the US Through this new collaboration with Strides, Pfizer continues to demonstrate its commitment to become one of the top players in the injectables market.