First commercial launch from Akorn Strides

Akorn-Strides has announced the first commercial product launch for the American/Indian joint venture, rifampin for injection USP, 600mg/vial. The drug is used in the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis in conjunction with isoniazid and ethambutol.

To date, the company has filed for 18 Abbreviated New Drug Applications and received nine approvals. Five additional products are under development and expected to be filed in the next 12 months. The JV expects to generate immediate revenue from this product launch and from several other new drugs in the second half of 2008. The approximate annual IMS US market value of the nine approved products is $192.0 million, the firm notes.

Akorn-Strides was formed in 2004 by US firm Akorn and and India Bombay and National Stock Exchanges-listed Strides Arcolab. The primary mission for the JV is to develop liquid, lyophilized and dry powder formulations of generic injectable products targeting several therapeutic markets with a major focus on anti-infectives, analgesics, anti-emetics and central nervous system medicines. The manufacturing facility which will support this and other products of the JV is owned by Strides Arcolab and is located in Bangalore, India.