Natco (Hyderabad) launches Generic drug Glatimer for MS

Natco Pharma Ltd announced the launch of Glatimer (Glatiramer acetate), a potent drug useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

With this launch, Natco has become the first generic producer of this drug in the world, apart from being the first to introduce it in India, according to a company press release here on Wednesday. The branded version — called Copaxone from the global pharma major Teva Pharmaceuticals — has global sales of $1.8 billion. Incidentally, Glatimer will be a peptide chemistry-based product — the first one from among a series planned to be introduced by Natco in the coming years.

Natco has launched Glatimer at a MRP of Rs 28,500 for 30 vials. This is about 40 per cent of the price at which the innovator's brand is available. Natco expects that Glatimer would boost its revenues as well as profitability.

Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the central nervous system and an estimated 2.5 million people in the world are affected by this disease. About 50,000 of them are in India, according to the company release.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/17/stories/2007051702310200.htm