Drug firm Lupin has launched anti-bacterial Zaxine tablets, under a licensing pact with Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc, in the Canadian market.
“The company’s Canadian subsidiary Lupin Pharma Canada Ltd has launched its first brand product Zaxine under a strategic licensing agreement with North Carolina-based GI speciality company Inc,” Lupin said in a statement today.
Zaxine 550 mg (rifaximin) is a long-term antibiotic treatment drug for adults living with hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a complication of liver disease (cirrhosis).
The agreement grants Lupin exclusive rights to promote, distribute and market Zaxine in Canada, it added.
Commenting on the development, Lupin Ltd CEO Vinita Gupta said, “We are very excited with the expansion of Lupin’s business into Canada given the opportunity we have, to create a brand presence with the launch of Zaxine.”
The launch demonstrates Lupin’s commitment to grow its brand franchise in North America and bring meaningful products to patients in Canada, she added.
Lupin and Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc had in September 2014 entered into a distribution agreement under which Salix had granted Lupin exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute Zaxine, Relistor and other gastroenterology products in Canada.
It also included future dosage forms, strengths, and indications for such products.
Under the agreement, Lupin also has the option to exclusively market, distribute and sell other gastroenterology products in Salix’s Canadian pipeline once approved by Health Canada.
“Lupin is the exclusive distributor of Salix products in Canada,” its spokesperson Shamsher Gorawara said.
“Lupin shall make all decisions with respect to the marketing, planning, strategy and promotion of each product and shall have the responsibility for establishing and modifying the terms and conditions of the sale of the distribution products,” Gorawara added.
Zaxine 550 mg has been approved by Health Canada under priority review for the reduction in risk of overt HE recurrence in patients.
The firm is in the process of establishing its presence in Canada and the launch opens up growth opportunities for the future, Lupin said.
Lupin shares were trading 1.94 per cent up at Rs 1,803 per scrip during afternoon session on the BSE.