Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd has announced that Sygnis Pharma AG and the company signing an exclusive 10-year agreement for the supply of the active ingredient AX200, a biological molecule in development by Sygnis for the treatment of Stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders. The agreement secures the supply of AX200 far beyond the clinical development and provides a solid basis for the envisaged marketing of the compound.

Sygnis has successfully completed a phase IIa clinical trial of AX200 in September that demonstrated safety and efficacy in patients with acute Stroke. In the second half of 2008, Sygnis plans to start a phase IIb efficacy trial in acute Stroke with AX200 supplied by the company. Stroke affects over five million patients worldwide every year and is the third leading cause of death, presenting a major soclo-economic burden.

Dr Cartikeya Reddy, head of biologics at the company, said, "Biopharmaceutical services is a fast growing business segment globally with a limited number of service providers. Our strategic decision to exclusively produce a biological molecule for a partner is a first in the history of Dr Reddy's and fits very well within our custom pharmaceutical services' business model. We are very optimistic that AX200 will continue to show real potential in the treatment of acute stroke with the potential to be used in the treatment of other degenerative neurological diseases".