This was swiftly followed on 13 October 2011 by the announcement of a similar partnership with Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer Micro Labs. Subsidiary Litha Pharma has thereby created a solid generics product pipeline and will manage the submission and distribution of the products into the South African market and adjacent countries.

Litha Pharma hopes to become a major provider of generic medicines in South Africa. ‘We will continue to seek new and exciting opportunities for the group, through our agreement with Canadian-based CPoint Capital, who are a key partner in sourcing and supplying generic product pipelines for our Pharma Division,’ said Mr Selwyn Kahanovitz, Group CEO, Litha Healthcare Group.

The Indian companies are also well pleased with the deals. Natco is a speciality pharmaceutical company headquartered in Hyderabad, India. It is a leader in the oncology segment in India. Apart from branded generics, Natco is involved in research and development which includes novel drug delivery systems. Natco has submitted a number of first-to-file abbreviated new drug application in the US. Micro Labs, which is recognised for its well-defined R & D programmes for the generics market, has approvals from EU Authorities, FDA, Health Canada, Medicines Control Council (South Africa), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK), Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia), and regulatory authorities in Asia and Latin America.

So these partnerships will enable the Litha Healthcare Group to access well-defined R & D programmes which include novel drug delivery systems platforms and novel moiety combinations.

The Indian pharmaceuticals industry ranks fourteenth in the global league table and was estimated by IMS Health to be worth US$10 billion in 2010, and is expected to add US$5-15 billion in annual pharmaceutical sales by 2013 [1].

Therefore, maybe it is not such a surprise that many deals are being made. Major deals for 2011 have included that of Zydus Cadila with Germany’s Bayer Healthcare and Sun Pharma with US-based Merck.

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