The Hindu Business Line : Elder Pharma to market Roche drug

MR JAGDISH SAXENA (left), Chairman and Managing Director, Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and Dr G.L. Telang, Managing Director, Roche Scientific Co Pvt Ltd, in Mumbai on Thursday. — Shashi Ashiwal

Mumbai , Dec 14

Elder Pharmaceuticals has entered into an agreement with Roche to market osteoporosis drug, Bonviva, in India.

Bonviva, whose main active ingredient is ibandronic acid, is priced at Rs 2,500 a tablet and has a dosage regimen of one tablet a month.

"We have expertise in marketing women's health care products in India and also an extensive distribution network reaching the interior towns and villages. Bonviva and Shelcal (calcium supplement) may be prescribed together in the treatment of osteoporosis, giving a ready market for Roche's product," said Mr Alok Saxena, Director of Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The drug was launched in 2005 in the US and Europe and is now available in more than 50 countries.

It is estimated that nearly 30 million Indians are affected by osteoporosis. It is commonly seen in women over 50 years; however, a significant number of men are reported to be suffering from this condition.

Elder Pharmaceuticals has exclusive licensing agreements with over 25 international pharmaceutical companies to market their formulations in India.

The company's scrip gained 1.79 per cent to close at Rs 346.60 on the BSE on Thursday.

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