Cadila arm gets nod for generic anti-viral, anti-bacterial drugs

Nesher Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Cadila Healthcare, a part of Zydus Cadila group, on Monday said it got final approval from the USFDA to market antiviral generic drug Oseltamivir Phosphate capsules, in strengths of 30 mg, 45 mg and 75 mg.The drug will be produced at the Nesher Pharmaceuticals manufacturing facility in the US. Oseltamivir Phosphate capsules also marketed by Roche under brand name Tamiflu is an anti-viral pill used in the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infection. The estimated sales for Oseltamivir Phosphate capsules is USD 382 million as per IMS December 2016 figures.Natco Pharma launched generic Tamiflu capsules, used for treatment of influenza, in the US market in December last year after an out-of-court settlement with Gilead and Roche. Natco which enjoyed exclusivity in December made a windfall gain of Rs 150 crore in the third quarter. Natco's exclusivity has ended February 23.Analysts say Cadila's ability to generate sales depends on the number of generic entrants who will compete to market Oseltamivir Phosphate.  Cadila also said it has received the final approval from the USFDA to market Linezolid tablets of 600 mg dosage form. The drug is an anti-bacterial agent used to treat certain serious bacterial infections and will be produced at the group's formulations manufacturing facility at the Pharma SEZ in Ahmedabad.Cadila Healthcare now has nearly 110 approvals and has so far filed over 300 ANDAs since the commencement of the filing process in FY04.Shares of Cadila rose 1.84 percent to Rs 437.95 on BSE at 12.50 pm, the benchmark Sensex gaind 0.06 percent to 28,911.10 points.