Dr Reddy8217;s launches generic Starlix

Brokerage Nomura said in a report Dr Reddy8217;s was likely to share 180-day exclusivity to sell this drug in the United States along with other generic players,including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Par Pharmaceutical.

Shares in Dr Reddy8217;s,which has a market value of 2.8 billion,was up 1.6 per cent at 822 rupees by 0648 GMT while the Mumbai market was down 0.6 per cent.

Dr Reddy8217;s and local rivals such as Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla have thrived on booming global demand for generic drugs as nations around the world battle rising healthcare costs.

But the export-driven Indian companies are facing stiff pricing pressure as more drug makers jump into the generics market. Increased scrutiny of manufacturing standards by overseas regulators is also a worry as it could delay new launches.

Dr Reddy8217;s Chief Operating Officer Satish Reddy said last month the No. 2 Indian generic drug maker planned to launch six to seven new generics in the United States in 2009/10,including blockbuster omeprazole.

Omeprazole is a generic version of AstraZeneca8217;s Prilosec and is indicated for the treatment of stomach ulcers and acid reflux. Dr Reddy8217;s will be the second generics maker after Perrigo to sell the copycat variant of this drug.

Last year,Dr Reddy8217;s had launched acute migraine drug sumatriptan,a generic of GlaxoSmithKline8217;s Imitrex,in the US market,which helped its North America revenue nearly double in the June quarter.