The Hindu Business Line : Zydus Cadila launches pain management drug

ZYDUS Cadila Healthcare Ltd (ZCHL) has launched a new generation pain relieving therapy, Etoricoxib, under the brand name Nucoxia. The US-based pharma major, Merck, is the original patent holder of this drug.

But pain management appears to be the name of the game, as a host of Indian companies get set to launch their versions of Etoricoxib, "not this year, but this week," said Mr Ashok Bhatia, ZCHL's Senior Vice-President (Marketing).

Nucoxia has already been rolled out and is priced at Rs 10 and Rs 8 for a 120-mg tablet and 90-mg tablet, respectively. The company also expects to launch a 60-mg dosage form, priced at Rs 6.50 per tablet, he said.

Other companies waiting to launch similar versions of the drug include Ranbaxy, Torrent, Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma, Glenmark and Nicholas Piramal India Ltd, he said.

The drug is a second generation Cox II inhibitor, used in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Some of the indications for which the drug is used include rheumatoid arthritis, dental pain and chronic low back-pain, he said.

According to the official, the new generation drug has a local market of about Rs 200 crore, while the total domestic pain management segment is about Rs 1,200 crore. Mr Bhatia expects to garner sales of about Rs 6 crore, in its first year of sales.

One more ED drug in the offing

ZYDUS Cadila is poised to launch its version of tadalafil, an erectile dysfunction (ED) drug. Eli Lilly is the original patent-holder for this drug, which it markets under the brand name Cialis. Tadalafil is said to be the next generation of sildenafil citrate, better known by its brand name Viagra - a drug from the Pfizer stable. Eli Lilly had sought an exclusive marketing right from the Indian Government for this drug. But even as a decision is pending on the issue, local versions have flooded the market from Ajanta Pharma, Richie Laboratories and Ranbaxy.

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