Drugmaker Lupin has inked a pact with Brazil?s largest healthcare PSU Farmanguinhos and the department of health, government of Brazil, to supply anti-TB drug (a four in one combination formulation with Rifampicin, Isoniazide, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide) for the next five years. The Mumbai-based drugmaker would also provide support to Farmanguinhos to set up its local manufacturing in future, it said without specifying the value of the contract. Brazil and Mexico are two of the key markets in Latin America where Lupin is actively looking at for an acquisition.
The four-in-one combination reduces the pill burden on the patient drastically, particular as the treatment lasts for at least six months, Lupin said. WHO estimates indicate that globally there are 9.2 million new cases each year resulting in 1.7 million deaths. In Brazil alone, it is estimated that approximately 57 million people have already been infected by this disease with 83,000 new cases annually and 4,700 thousand deaths due to the illness.
Vinod Dhawan, president Lupin, said, ?We believe that this agreement is a very important proactive step in providing comprehensive therapeutic care in the areas of conventional TB and MDR-TB, which are pandemic in nature. Lupin is a global leader for anti TB drugs and has long been committed to developing and providing solutions to tackle and stem the growth of the disease globally?. Hayne Felipe, director, Farmanguinhos described the event as ?a big example of partnership for productive development. ?This agreement is special because it provides a solution for an illness of epidemiological proportion and importance?, Felipe said.