Wockhardt pinches the derma market

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Wockhardt has signed an in-licensing agreement with the Milan-based Syrio Pharma, to market their B-Lift range of dermatology products. This is Wockhardt's first in-licensing agreement in the anti-wrinkle arena.

B-Lift range of products, which are based on a Botox-like peptide, are used for anti-ageing. However, unlike Botox, the B-Lift range is available in gel form and can be used on all patients. It is also known to have a better safety profile than Botox. B-lift will be marketed by Wockhardt in India and will be available in a wide range, which will include a topical application gel for men.

Commenting on the occasion Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt said, “Wockhardt has always strived to introduce newer and better products for the benefit of Indian patients. We will soon introduce the B-Lift range of products to cater to patients seeking advanced skin renewal treatment in India." The anti-ageing market in India is estimated at Rs 2,000 million. Market analysts point that with growing awareness and lifestyle changes, the figure is poised to grow exponentially in the next two years. Wockhardt plans to tap this market with the launch of B-Lift in the third quarter of 2007 and with an independent field force to promote the product to dermatologists. In future, the company will launch all the Derma-Skin care brands through this speciality-focused team.

Besides the agreement with Syrio Pharma, Wockhardt has been in news for another in-licensing agreement with Advanced Biotechnologies of US to market a patent-protected product to treat scars. "Wockhardt is committed to cater to unmet medical needs of Indian patients," Khorakiwala said. "We will soon introduce a patented gel Kelocote to treat scars and keloids arising from accidents, burns, surgery and acne."

Kelocote is a unique silicone gel for scars arising from accidents, burns, surgery and acne as well as skin disorders such as dermatitis and varicella. It is also useful in treating keloids, which are fibrous growths formed over healed wounds.

Kelocote is available as an easy-to-apply gel form with self-drying action. Kelocote is currently marketed in North America, Europe, Australia and South East Asia. Wockhardt plans to launch Kelocote in India in the third quarter of 2007.

In another development, the company also received an approval from the USFDA for marketing Lisinopril, used in the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure-in the US market. According to IMS data, the US market for Lisinopril tablets is about $375 million and the annual consumption comes to around 3.25 billion tablets, making it the most widely used heart medication. It belongs to the category of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a category, wherein Wockhardt is an active player.

"Wockhardt has been an active player in the ACE-Inhibitor therapeutic segment and Lisinopril is a logical extension of our capability in this category," stated Khorakiwala. "Five FDA approvals in five weeks is a demonstration of Wockhardt's rewarding efforts in the US generics space, which will now go on to further boost our growth in that market," he added.