Ranbaxy, GSK Move Forward in R&D Partnership

Indian drugmaker Ranbaxy Laboratories has announced that, as part of its collaboration agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the companies have selected a compound to develop for the treatment of respiratory inflammation.

As per the multiyear agreement signed in February, Ranbaxy will further study this drug candidate through preclinical trials and will also be responsible for conducting Phase I and II clinical studies through to proof-of-concept. GSK will then have the option to conduct further development through approval and final commercialization.

The R&D alliance focuses on developing compounds in a wide range of therapeutic areas, including anti-infectives, metabolic disorders, respiratory disease and oncology. Ranbaxy could receive more than $100 million in potential milestone payments and up to double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales. Ranbaxy will retain the right to co-commercialize the products in India.

Ranbaxy also announced recently the launch of its branded product, Osovair, in India for the treatment of asthma. The inhaled product combines the long-acting Beta 2 agonist formoterol with the new inhaled corticosteroid ciclesonide.