Ranbaxy launches new drug in the US: PharmAsiaNews

Ranbaxy has launched tablets of blockbuster ant-viral drug Valaciclovir in the US. Analysts expect sales worth USD 200 million in the exclusivity period, reports Vikas Dandekar, of PharmAsiaNews.com

Valaciclovir has been branded as Valtrex by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. It has annual sales of over USD 2 billion in the US. Ranbaxy has a 'First To File' status for Valaciclovir. When contacted, Ranbaxy confirmed the launch.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Dandekar, the India Bureau Chief of PharmAsiaNews.com gave exclusive details about the new drug's launch and the opportunity it presents for Ranbaxy.

Here is a verbatim transcript of the exclusive interview with Vikas Dandekar on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.

Q: Take us through the drug details and also what sort of an opportunity this really is for Ranbaxy?

A: This is one of the most awaited drug launches for Ranbaxy, especially in the wake of all the regulatory issues that it has been facing from the FDA. It is a definite and big upside so far as Ranbaxy is concerned. The launch of Valaciclovir generic, it is part of an out-of- court settlement that Ranbaxy did and the patent expiry happens sometimes next month.

The size of the product is quite large, USD 2.2 billion in the US. At a very conservative estimate, analysts have been saying that it will be in the range of USD 175 million to USD 200 million, plus exclusivity period that Ranbaxy will be getting.

So on November 25, the company finally launched 500 mg and 1 gm tablets of Valaciclovir. It is seen as a definite positive for the company. The big thing is there is no authorised generic as yet. So, it will be a clean play for Ranbaxy for six months, as of now, making it a definite positive for the company.