Ethypharm India, the 100 per cent subsidiary of leading French MNC pharma major Ethypharm S.A., announces the finalisation and signing of an out-licensing and supply contract for Tramadol 50 mg Flashtab to Ranbaxy for the Indian market.

Tramadol is a drug of choice for severe to moderately severe pain in trauma cases and is currently one of the four most commonly prescribed analgesics worldwide. It is also used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of cancer patients.

Ethypharm's Flashtab proprietary technologies aim to make medicines more palatable and easier to swallow and form the basis of the innovative Flashtab version of Tramadol. By utilising Ethypharm's Flashtab technologies that make drugs easy to swallow and pleasant tasting, both companies aim to respond to patients and health authorities' increasing demands for more patient friendly medicines.

"Ranbaxy has strong presence in the pain management segment. Introduction of Tramadol Flashtab Tablets is part of Ranbaxy's strategy to provide world-class products with Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) technology to doctors in India, which would also mean speedier pain relief to the patients" said Sanjeev I. Dani regional director of India and Middle East. "The Indian market of Tramadol is approximately Rs 15 crore annually and is expected to grow significantly with the addition of this novel drug delivery system which would make administration of the product easier and more convenient to the patient," said Ajey Kumar, CEO of Ethypharm India.

Tramadol Flashtab was filed by Ethypharm under the European Mutual Recognition Procedure in September 2001 and is expected to be launched in the UK during this year. Tramadol Flashtab tablets melt rapidly into the mouth without water and combine several benefits in terms of acceptability, accuracy of dosing and safety. This inherent property of a Flashtab is an advantage in the treatment of pain since it can be consumed without water and hence can be used any where, any time.

The products would be supplied from Ethypharm's manufacturing facility near Mumbai as finished and packaged formulations and marketed and distributed by Ranbaxy under their brand name.