Dr Reddy's Laboratories has decided to discontinue trials on three NCEs (new chemical entities) -DRF-4848, DRF-3118 and DRF-NPPC. The decision comes in the wake of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis suspending clinical trials on DRF-4158, an insulin sensitiser outsourced to the company by Dr Reddy's for further development. Earlier, in July last year, Novo Nordisk, had suspended clinical trials of another molecule from Dr Reddy's, DRF-2725, an anti-diabetes drug.

While DRF-4848 and DRF-3188 were in the late pre-clinical stage, DRF-NPPC completed pre-clinical trials recently. DRF-4848 is an anti-inflammatory compound and DRF-3188 is indicated for cancer, viral infections and immuno stimulation, while DRF-NPCC is an insulin sensitiser.

When contacted, a spokesman for the company said it was decided not to pursue further the development of the three compounds. The decision was announced during the investors conference call presentation made on January 29 on the occasion of the FY03 Quarter results of the company.

G V Prasad Executive vice-Chairman and CEO of Dr Reddy's, told the press, " It is a constant process for any discovery company. We keep on evaluating all the molecules in the pipeline. After considering the safety and efficacy of the compounds, and also after taking into account the commercial aspects and prospects for competitive molecules, we rationalize the portfolio."

After dropping the three molecules by Dr Reddy's and two others by Novo Nordisk and Novartis, the company has only two molecules each of cancer and bacterial infections and one on HDL elevator. Of the two cancer compounds, DRF-1042 has completed phase-I clinical trials. The phase-II trials will start soon. Besides these, Reddi US Thrapeutics Inc. (RUSTI), an Atlanta-based R&D subsidiary, has validated three new drug targets in cell proliferation, diabetic vasculopathy and inflammation.

While suspending trial of the insulin molecule recently, Novartis had announced that the molecule would be replaced by another molecule from Dr Reddy's lab. In view of the new developments it is to be seen which molecule Novartis will take up for development.