Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Alchemia Limited, Brisbane, Australia announced that Dr Reddy’s has received final approval of  ANDA for fondaparinux sodium injection, a bioequivalent generic version of Arixtra, in the US market on July 11, 2011 by the United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA). The approval covers 2.5 mg/ 0.5 mL, 5.0 mg/ 0.4 mL, 7.5 mg/ 0.6 mL and 10 mg/ 0.8 mL doses of the drug in pre-filled colour-coded, single-dose syringes with automatic needle safety device. Dr Reddy’s will manufacture fondaparinux under license using a patented process developed by Alchemia.

Commenting on the approval, G V Prasad, vice-chairman and CEO of Dr Reddy’s said, “The fondaparinux approval demonstrates the strong technical capabilities of the teams at Dr Reddy’s and Alchemia. Given that this is a complex generic molecule which is difficult to manufacture at scale, competition is likely to be limited for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, from a commercial perspective, Dr Reddy’s will promptly execute a phased launch that initially plays to our strengths in select wholesale and retail outlets, and subsequently enhance share over time in the coming quarters to augment the growing annuity of upsides in our North America Generics business.”

Pete Smith, CEO of Alchemia said, “This collaboration has succeeded due to the expertise, dedication, and close communication between the teams at both companies. This approval is a major milestone for Alchemia, fondaparinux representing a significant source of potential future income for the company.

The US patents on Arixtra expired in 2002, the year before the drug was launched in the US. Alchemia’s process for the synthesis of fondaparinux is covered by a patent estate with two issued patents and two pending applications in the US. Arixtra brand had US sales of approximately $ 340 million (Y-o-Y growth of 16 per cent) for the 12 months ending May 2011.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. is an integrated global pharmaceutical company, committed to providing affordable and innovative medicines for healthier lives.

Alchemia is a drug discovery and development company founded on its chemistry expertise. Its lead programme is fondaparinux (a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Arixtra,).