Dr Reddy?s Laboratories (DRL) is reorienting the therapeutic focus of its drug discovery programme to the anti-infective segment, dermatology and pain inflammation management, which signifies a major shift from its earlier priorities on new drugs for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Earlier this year, the company gave up its research on its diabetes molecule Balaglitazone, feted as one of its most promising drug candidate.
The shift is primarily driven by the increasing and exorbitant costs involved in large-scale clinical trials, which is mandated by international regulators if these molecules must reach the markets, said GV Prasad, vice-chairman, Dr Reddy?s Laboratories.
?Success has eluded even big innovator pharma companies in these therapeutic areas. Even the global giants are struggling to find newer molecules for these lifestyle diseases, which are on the rise across all geographies,? he said.
?In the dermatology segment, we are looking at in-licensing and out-licensing of molecules and line extension of existing products. Besides, novel products in sub-verticals such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and anti-scar products could be part of our future offerings,? he said.
Incidentally, the company is bullish on a differentiated formulation to be used in the treatment of nail fungus which is already undergoing phase-III clinical trials.
On the pain management front, the company has pinned its hope on two new chemical entities (NCEs) programmes. A product around migraine is likely to enter phase III trials next year. Within the anti-infective space, the company is working around a therapy targeted at surgical-site infections. The 2011 GARP report shows that in Indian ICUs, the rate of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), a dangerous hospital infection, is five times the rate in the rest of the world. Antibiotic resistant infections are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. They lead to longer hospital stays, increased treatment costs, and in some cases, death.
?The prevalence of chronic and acute pain is growing steadily as our population ages and diagnosis rates improve. Although there are a number of medications to treat chronic pain, new treatments that are both safe and tolerable remain essential. We are developing products with improved efficacy and side-effect profiles in several areas of acute and chronic pain,? Satish Reddy, MD, Dr Reddy?s, said.
The incidence of hospital-acquired infections are growing as drug-resistant bacteria are becoming even more difficult to treat. There are significant challenges in adequately treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens which are serious and life-threatening. The company is working to identify new approaches to treat these infections with products that have improved efficacy and tolerability profiles.
Further, the company plans to scale up its alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for increasing its penetration in the emerging markets. It had signed a strategic alliance with GSK in 2009 to develop and market selected products across an extensive number of emerging markets, excluding India.
The alliance will combine Dr Reddy?s portfolio of quality pharmaceuticals together with GSK?s extensive sales and marketing capabilities. Under the agreement, GSK will gain exclusive access to Dr Reddy?s diverse portfolio and future pipeline of more than 100 branded pharmaceuticals in fast growing therapeutic segments such as cardiovascular, diabetes, oncology, gastroenterology and pain management. The products will be manufactured by Dr Reddy?s and licensed and supplied by GSK in various countries in Africa, West Asia, Asia Pacific and Latin America. In certain markets, products will be co-marketed by the GSK and Dr Reddy?s.