Cipla to Market MSD’s Raltegravir in India

Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Cipla announced that it has entered into an India-specific strategic partnership with Merck’s Indian unit, MSD Pharma, to market the company’s anti-HIV drug raltegravir in the country. Raltegravir is currently being marketed by MSD in India under the brand name Isentress for treating HIV-1 infection in adult patients. According to the agreement, Cipla will have a non-exclusive license to market, promote and distribute the drug in 400mg strength under a different brand name.

Cipla revealed that it has yet to arrive at a price for the drug, though it is confident that its extensive marketing operations and expertise in HIV/AIDS segment will help it to promote the drug’s availability in the country.

“This partnership reinforces Cipla’s ongoing commitment to HIV/AIDS treatment making life-saving drugs accessible. Raltegravir, a third line therapy treatment, will be a value-addition to Cipla’s portfolio of HIV/AIDS treatment, especially for those patients who are resistant to the first and second line therapy treatment,”, the chief medical officer at Cipla, Jaideep Gogtay said.



Source-Medindia