Croat Pliva, Unichem in U.S. deal

ZAGREB, May 19 (Reuters) Croatian pharmaceutical concern Pliva said on Thursday it had signed an agreement with India-based Unichem on development, production and supply of new generic products for the United States market.

''Our cooperation refers to five products at an advanced stage of development. If agreed, we can also include some other products in our cooperation,'' Pliva said in a statement.

Pliva will, according to the agreement, finance certain research activities of Unichem and in exchange be given an exclusive right to sell joint generic products in the U.S.

Pliva, the largest drugs maker by sales in eastern Europe, operates in more than 30 countries.

It focused on the generic drug business after its venture into proprietary drugs failed.

REUTERS CS PM1127