Dr Reddy's to sell Torrent drugs in Russia

Torrent Pharma, the pharmaceuticals major, has entered into a pact with Dr Reddy's Laboratories for exclusive commercialisation of two of its brands in Russia.

Dr Reddy's will be marketing Listril (Lisinopril) and Listril Plus (Lisinopril HCTZ), both cardiovascular drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure, in Russia.

Both the brands will be immediately commercialised as both the drugs have already been registered in Russia.

The registration and trademark of both the brands will be held by Torrent Pharma, while Dr Reddy's will posses the exclusive marketing rights.

"The deal provides both the companies the advantage to strengthen their position in the cardiovascular segment in the Russian market," said a statement issued by Torrent Pharma.

The company has initially entered into a deal for licensing and supplying the formulation of one of its drugs, Domstal in the gastro intestinal segment in July 2004 with Dr Reddy's for the Russian market. As per the company release, this is the second such agreement Torrent has signed with Dr Reddy's for the Russian market foray.

Torrent had licensed the dossier and marketing authorisation for the formulation to Dr Reddy's and will be launched under the brand name Omez D in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and later to Russia and Belarus.

Torrent Pharma has a presence in over 50 countries with more than 1000 product registrations worldwide.

It has 8 wholly-owned subsidiaries in international markets, giving it a strong presence in the major markets of Brazil, Germany, USA, Russia, Japan, Mexico and important Asian /African countries.