Aurobindo signs generics deal with AstraZeneca
Adds to Indian firm’s 2009 agreement with Pfizer
Aurobindo Pharma of Hyderabad in India has signed an agreement to supply Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca with generic drugs for sale in emerging markets.
The firm said it would supply AstraZeneca with several solid dosage and sterile products for treating infections, heart disease and central nervous system disorders. Financial terms were not disclosed.
‘These agreements will enable us to extend the range of branded medicines we are able to offer patients in emerging markets, where we see continued opportunities to grow our business,’ said Kaushik Banerjee, head of Branded Generics Operations at AstraZeneca.
Aurobindo Pharma’s chairman P V Ramprasad Reddy said the firm’s proven track record in building strong, collaborative working relationships is a key driver for these licensing and supply agreements with AstraZeneca. He added that the agreements would ‘accelerate our growth plans and support our earnings’.
The Aurobindo contract is AstraZeneca’s second deal this year with an Indian supplier of generic pharmaceuticals.
In that deal, signed in March, Torrent Pharmaceuticals agreed to supply AstraZeneca with 18 generic medicines for which Torrent already holds licenses in nine countries.
Aurobindo also has an agreement with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, signed in March 2009, to sell generic drugs in emerging countries, as well as in developed markets such as the US and Europe.