Drug maker Natco Pharma on Thursday said it has entered into an agreement with domestic pharma company Lupin to jointly market a variety of tablets used in treating kidney problems.
“Natco Pharma has joined hands with Lupin to jointly commercialise generic equivalents of Lanthanum Carbonate tablets,” Natco said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Lanthanum Carbonate tablets, invented by Shrine Plc, are sold under the brand name of Fosrenol. Natco had filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) before the US drug regulator (Food and Drug Administration) to market the generic versions of Fosrenol in three different strengths. In response to the application, Shrine had filed two law suits against Natco alleging patent infringement for the drug, which Natco is defending. As of December 2008, global sales of Fosrenol amounted to $108 million. The two Indian drug makers (Natco and Lupin) believe that they are among the first to file for this product, which may lead to 180 days’ exclusivity for its marketing in the US. “This alliance brings together a strong philosophy of working together to maximise opportunities in an increasingly competitive generic business,” Natco Pharma director and chief operating officer Rajeev Nannapaneni said. Natco closed at Rs59.35, up 14.80%, while Lupin settled the day at Rs646.75, down 1.03% on BSE.
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