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| BSE: 500257 |
NSE: LUPIN |
REUTERS: LUPN.BO |
BLOOMBERG: LPC IN | |
Mumbai, June 9, 2004: Pharma major Lupin Limited and Ind-Swift Limited have launched
Nitazoxanide, an anti-diarrhoeal/anthelmintic for the first time in India under the brand
names Nizonide and Netazox respectively.
Nitazoxanide is a revolutionary molecule having an anti amoebic & anthelmintic
action. Nitazoxanide is indicated for Amoebiasis, Helminthiasis, Giardiasis, Fascioliasis,
Trichomoniasis & Cryptosporidiosis.
Nitazoxanide is the first molecule in its segment to receive FDA approval in last 40 years for
Giardiasis. Nitazoxanide is the only approved drug for the treatment of diarrhoea caused by
Cryptosporidium parvum in children of 12-month to 11-year age group. Nitazoxanide
provides a convenient compliance advantage of a three-day therapy as against the prevalent
five-day therapy offered by earlier molecules. The current market size of anti-diarrhoeal/
anthelmintic is estimated at around Rs. 150 crore (AC Nielsen ORG MARG -
MAT April 2004)
Ind-Swift has recently obtained the approval from the Drug Controller General India
(DCGI) for the manufacture and launch of this drug in India. The drug has been launched in
500 mg tablets, 200 mg dispersible tablets and 100 mg/5 ml suspension forms.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. V.K. Mehta - Director Ind-Swift said, "Nitazoxanide is a
new molecule with remarkable results. Most of the available therapies have low cure rates,
with greater chance of resistance development, frequent dosages and a long duration of
treatment. All this reduces patient compliance. Nitazoxanide is a relatively more effective
drug developed in-house by the Company's R&D. Ind Swift is optimistic on the success of
this molecule".
Mr. S. P. Chakraborty, Executive Vice President-India Region Formulations Business, Lupin
Limited added "With the launch of Nitazoxanide, Lupin offers a value advantage to the
patient in line with the company's efforts in providing better therapy to existing conditions"
About Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea is the second biggest cause of child mortality in India. The
World Health Organisation estimates that four million children under the age of five die
each year from diarrhoea, mainly in developing countries. In India, the figure is 6 lac deaths
every year or to be precise 1,666 deaths per day.
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