Venus gets nod to market generic meropenem in Switzerland

Drug firm Venus Remedies has received approval from the Swiss drug authority to market its generic injectable antibiotic meropenem used for treating infections in the country.
The company has received marketing authorisation from Swiss drug authority 'Swissmedic' through its German arm Venus Pharma GmbH for meropenem 500 mg and 1 g injections, Venus Remedies said in a statement.
Commenting on the development, Venus Remedies Chairman and Managing Director Pawan Chaudhary said: "With plans to launch this product early next year through our partner Swiss Pharma GmbH Zurich, we will be able to capture 10 per cent share in the meropenem market of Switzerland."

Being among the first few companies to receive marketing authorisation from Switzerland for this drug, Venus enjoys a distinct advantage, the company said.
Meropenem is a last-resort drug of the carbapenem class of antibiotics which is used in intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals, it added.
"The global annual sale of meropenem, which stood at USD 1,879 million in 2012, is estimated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent to reach around USD 2,100 million in 2014-15," Venus Remedies said.
The drug is used in the treatment of severe bacterial infections like pneumonia, broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis, complicated urinary tract infections among others.

The company has secured more than 40 marketing authorisations for meropenem throughout the world from countries like the UK, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Italy, among others, Venus Remedies said.