Ranbaxy-Ipca bag USFDA nod to market Atenolol tablets

New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (RLL) today said its alliance with Ipca laboratories received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market Atenolol tablets.

''We are pleased to receive this final FDA approval to market Atenolol tablets. This will further expand our product portfolio of affordable generic alternatives to the brand in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders,'' Mr Jim Meehan, Vice President (Sales and Marketing), Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc (RPI), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL) said.

''This approval is the result of a strategic alliance with Ipca Laboratories Ltd of Mumbai, who will develop a number of generic prescription pharmaceutical products which will be marketed by Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc (RPI) in the US in the future following USFDA approval. RPI labeled Atenolol tablets will be made available to our customers in the US healthcare system during first quarter of 2007,'' Mr Meehan added As per data available with IMS-MAT survey, the total annual market sales for Atenolol were 133.6 million dollars in September 2006.

Atenolol is indicated in the management of hypertension and for the long-term management of patients with angina pectoris due to coronary atherosclerosis.

UNI