India's Cipla in US Marketing Partnerships for Generics

Local reports suggest that Indian drugmaker Cipla has formed marketing agreements with five unnamed US generics companies. Much of the company's product lines are in the asthma and cardiovascular segments, and the company could launch up to 140 products, assuming it obtains the necessary US approvals. Cipla hopes to increase its annual sales in the lucrative US market to roughly US$60mn, from just US$2mn at present. Nevertheless, observers note that without a direct US presence, and a previous record of being averse to legal action, Cipla may find it hard to meet its ambitious targets for the US.

Meanwhile, the company claims that it is developing a portfolio of CFC-free inhalers for the US$1bn European market. Cipla launched its first CFC-free inhaler in Germany in September, and has filed applications for three of the additional six such inhalers in its pipeline.