Drug maker Ranbaxy launches Niftran, Eligard

New Delhi, Jan 29: Drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (RLL) today launched two differentiated, Novel Drug Delivery System products in the Urology segment in India.

This comprised Niftran 100mg capsules (Nitrofurantoin modified release) developed using the company's R&D capabilities and Eligard 22.5mg and 45mg (Leuprolide Depot), in-licensed from QLT Inc, US.

Mr Sanjeev I Dani, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Asia and CIS, RLL said, ''Both these drugs augment are our Urology franchise and present our customers with innovative drugs which offer superior options and convenience.'' Niftran, a Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) based product, offers better patient compliance due to twice-a-day dosage regimen compared to the conventional four times-a-day dosage regimen with the currently available Nitrofurantoin in the market.

It is indicated for the use in Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) and because of its unique mode of action, shows a low resistance pattern and a high sensitivity towards major urinary tract infections pathogens, he said.

Eligard is indicated for the palliative treatment (management of symptoms) of advanced prostate cancer. There is an increase in the number of Prostate cancer cases being diagnosed in India. It is also an NDDS based hormonal therapy available in dosage forms of 22.5mg (three months depot) and 45mg (six months depot).

The product offers convenience to the patients with dosing every three-six months. Prostatic carcinoma is one of the common forms of cancer prevalent among men.

RLL continues to remain the largest NDDS marketing company with an eight per cent market share within the Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) segment. NDDS portfolio contribution to the company's total sales stands at nine per cent.

UNI