Akorn Inc based in Buffalo Grove, USA, has a growing list of Indian and international partnerships in ANDA new product development and commercialization. The company's model in these partnerships is to introduce and market new products manufactured in India and to manage the requisite regulatory ANDA and annual submissions. Akorn has major interests in Indian pharma companies in product categories such as ophthalmology, oncology pharmaceuticals and a broad array of parenterals.

It has so far established partnerships with leading pharma companies like Cipla, Natco Pharma, Serum Institute and Strides Acrolab in the last two years. It is currently in the process of appointing a director- International Quality Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for India, based in Pune, to work with several pharmaceutical firms with which the company has formalised relationships.

During April, 2006, Akorn has signed an API Supply and Margin Sharing Agreement with Natco Pharma Limited, to commercialize two ANDA injectable drug products. The two ANDA drug products will focus on the anti-emetic and cancer related markets. It also signed a Purchase and Supply Agreement with Natco to commercialize two ANDA oral drug products for cancer patients suffering from nausea and vomiting.

In March, 2006, Akorn and Cipla signed an exclusive drug manufacturing and supply agreement for an oral anti-infective ANDA drug product during March 2006. Under the terms of the ten-year agreement, Cipla will be responsible for the manufacturing and supply of the drug using Akorn's formulation, and Akorn will be responsible for the ANDA regulatory submission and clinical development, and for the purchase of specialized manufacturing equipment.

In October 2004, Akorn and Serum Institute signed an exclusive drug development and distribution agreement for oncology and other injectable drug products for the United States and Canada.

Akorn and Strides Arcolab in September 2004, signed a MoU to form a Joint Venture. The Joint Venture will operate as Akorn-Strides, LLC under the terms of a Limited Liability Company Agreement. Strides will be responsible for developing, manufacturing and supplying products under an OEM Agreement between Strides and the JV company. Akorn will be responsible for sales and marketing of the products under an exclusive Sales and Marketing Agreement with the JV company.

Akorn, is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of branded and multi-source pharmaceutical products. As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Akorn is focused on three major business segments- Ophthalmology, Hospitals, and Contract Manufacturing. It has a revenue base of over $50 million, and is eyeing on numerous new product introductions in 2006.