Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) announced today that the Company has entered into a strategic in-licensing agreement for the Indian market, with Ethypharm LL India (Ethypharm), a wholly-owned subsidiary of a leading French drug delivery company, for a Fixed Dose Combination of Fenofibrate micronized 160 mg and Atorvastatin 10 mg

Ranbaxy will market the product under its brand name STORFIB(tm). Introduction of STORFIB will address the need for effective management of Mixed Dyslipidemia, which is very common amongst the Indian population. The product will be manufactured by Ethypharm, at its facility located near Mumbai.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Sanjeev I. Dani, Regional Director, India and Middle East, Ranbaxy said, "Ranbaxy in India, is the leader in Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS products) and a pioneer in the Lipids management portfolio. The launch of STORFIB, which symbolises both these strengths, would further augment our leadership position in the cardio-vascular market. "

Combinational products are growing very fast in India and it is estimated that more than two thirds of all combination products worldwide are registered first in India. Ethypharm endeavours to ensure that the benefits of its Drug Delivery technologies also encompass such combinational products. "This product encapsulates the benefits of both Combination offerings and Drug Delivery technologies and will help the large Indian populace who suffer from Combined (mixed) Dyslipidemia which is common culprit in Asian subcontinent including India", said Mr Ajey Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Ethypharm India.

Fenofibrate is a drug prescribed to lower triglycerides in cases of Hyperlipidemia while Atorvastatin is a cholesterol lowering drug. Ethypharm's enhanced absorption technologies serve to increase bioavailability of drugs like Fenofibrate thereby making it more efficacious, effective and safe medicine.

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