Pharma On The Move

The pharma sector is finally witnessing a good traction on the new product launch front. Pharma major Wockhardt has announced the launch of the generic version of anti-convulsant drug Lamictal XR. In a filing with the BSE, the company said that it had received the USFDA approval for this drug in the strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg respectively. With this, the positive momentum created by its turnaround story in CY12 is expected to continue in CY13 as well. This is its sixth drug that has received USFDA approval in the last five months, indicating that the second half of the current fiscal would be very good for the company.

Lamictal XR is a branded drug of Glaxo SmithKline having Lamotrigine, as its active ingredient. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy. As per IMS data, the total market for this product in the US is about USD 250 million (around Rs 1380 crore).  Two other Indian companies, Unichem Laboratories and Sun Pharma (through its subsidiary Taro) also have a final approval for the drug. Teva has already launched this drug in 2008 in the US markets which means that Wockhardt stands to gain only to a limited extent with this approval.

Another significant development on the drug approval front is that for Biocon. The company has received the DCGI approval for the launch of its drug for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. According to the management, this is the second novel biologic that the company has developed in India. It had earlier launched an anti-cancer monoclonal anti-body. This is something that will bring Biocon in the limelight. The company, known for its technological edge in research that can bring about a sea change in the vaccinations for various diseases has not yet been able to make its presence felt the way it should have been. This is probably the first of the steps in that direction.