Wockhardt to sell LSI's leucoderma drug

Wockhardt has signed an in-licensing agreement with Life Sciences Investments Limited (LSI), a UK-based company, to market Vitix, a patented product for the treatment of vitiligo, a pigmentation disorder.

As per the agreement, Wockhardt will manufacture Vitix "" a gel for topical application, in India. For production, the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) will be imported from LSI. The financial details of the deal is not known.

Wockhardt is expected to launch Vitix in India in the last quarter of 2006.

The move is part of Wockhardt's initiative to bring innovative and advanced drugs in speciality areas to India. Vitiligo, popularly called leucoderma, is a skin disorder affecting 1 to 2 per cent of global population in which the patient develops white patches caused by localised loss of pigment. These white patches are liable to sun burn.

Vitix offers advantages like fast onset of action and high success rate with established safety. Vitix is now marketed in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Africa.

Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala said "We plan to expand our portfolio in cardiology, diabetology and dermatology by introducing new products that have proved their effectiveness in other parts of the world."

Introduction of Vitix strengthens Wockhardt's dermatology portfolio. At present, the company's dermatology basket includes the Nadoxin range, a quinolone antibiotic for topical use.

LSI, a speciality dermatology company with a strong research pipeline, has presence in 80 countries.

While, Wockhardt a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has an active multi-disciplinary research programme employing 400 scientists.

Its new drug discovery programme has yielded several promising new molecules, one of which has entered Phase - II human clinical trials. Currently, the US and European Union contribute to half of Wockhardt's sales.