The Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd has tied up with F Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Basle, Switzerland to market its postmenopausal osteoporosis drug Bonviva in India.

Launched in 2005 in USA and Europe, Bonviva - whose main active ingredient is ibandronic acid - belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates and has a novel dosage regimen of just one-tablet-a-month. Roche, who in many markets is in co-promotion with GSK, is already marketing this product in more than 50 countries. The drug is priced Rs.2500 per tablet. The Indian price is about 35 percent cheaper than the price of Bonviva in the Western markets, said Dr G L Telang, managing director, Roche India.

Bonviva 150 mg tablet may be prescribed together with Shelcal (calcium supplement), the flagship brand of Elder, in the treatment of osteoporosis. Currently Elder is the market leader in the Rs.200 crore odd osteoporosis disease management market in India. Bonviva is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women through reduction of elevated bone turnover increasing bone mineral density and reduction of the incidence of fractures. US FDA approved Bonviva in March 2005 and by the EMEA in September 2005.

It is estimated that nearly 30 million Indians are affected by osteoporosis, with women bearing the major brunt of this disease. "We have an expertise in marketing women's health care products in India and also an extensive distribution network reaching the micro interior towns and villages. Bonviva and Shelcal (calcium supplement) may be prescribed together in the treatment of osteoporosis thereby giving ready market to Roche's product," said Alok Saxena, director, Elder Pharmaceuticals.