Elli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt Ltd has introduced Xigiris, a drug to combat "sepsis" a disease commonly referred to as blood poisoning and contributing to over 70% deaths in ICUs in the US in the Indian market. Xigiris, a genetically engineered version of the human activated protein C molecule, is a result of 20 years research by Elli Lilly. The drug that reduces the risk of death from overwhelming septic infections by almost 20 per cent is the only drug available in the world to combat severe sepsis. Priced over Rs 5 lakh, the drug would be available at all the major hospitals such as Apollo, AIIMS, Hinduja and Manipal Hospitals in the country.

Commenting on the launch, Rajiv Gulati, chairman & managing director, Elli Lilly and Company (India) Ltd said that the launch of the company's latest discovery in Indian market would be followed by awareness campaigns meant to sensitize the medical community of the effectiveness of the drug. "The launch of Xigris breaks newer frontiers. Up to dozen experimental sepsis treatments failed in clinical trials. An estimated 1400 people die every day of the disease. For decades physicians have waited the development of a product such as Xigris to treat patients at high risk of death from severe sepsis," he said.

He pointed out that the high price of the drug is indicative of the cost involved in its production. The cost however, includes the government duties, which comes to almost 60 per cent of total price. Gulati said that they have approached the government to get the drug exempted of the duties in order to pass on the entire price benefit to the patients.

The chairman said that the company would introduce more new drugs in the Indian market in the coming years.