Astra Zeneca slates new TB drug launch by 2010

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Anglo Swedish drug maker Astra Zeneca will be ready with a new TB drug in 2010, reports CNBC-TV18.

The breakthrough could be the first in more than four decades to combat the spread of tuberculosis. Non-Executive Chairman of Astra Zeneca, Louis Schweitzer details the plans.

"We are working on a few good leads and hope that by 2010, some trials should show us the way to launch a new TB product," says Schweitzer.

"We are looking at 20% growth and make India our fastest market - that will essentially be through new product introductions, faster than growth of drug market in general," he adds.