FUJIFILM Corporation, one of the major operating companies of FUJIFILM Holdings and Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. have decided to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for generic drugs joint venture in Japan.

The two companies had agreed to form the joint venture in July 2011 on the establishment of a joint venture for developing and manufacturing generic drugs in Japan. However, as Fujifilm realigns its long-term growth strategy for the pharmaceutical business, both companies have led to a mutual agreement to terminate the MoU.

The two companies will continue to explore partnership/ alliance opportunities in other pharmaceutical businesses such as API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) development and manufacturing, contract research and development and manufacturing, and the development and marketing of super-generics.

Commenting on the development, GV Prasad, chairman and CEO, Dr Reddy's said, "Unfortunately, we will not be able to partner with Fujifilm specifically for generic formulations business in Japan. However, I want to reinforce our commitment towards a planned entry into Japan to bring affordable and innovative drugs to more patients worldwide."

Takatoshi Ishikawa, director corporate vice president and general manager of Pharmaceutical Products Division said, “In the long-term we will be focusing more on priority fields such as new drugs in cancer field, more value-added super generic, and bio-related business by using our core technologies: analysis technologies, original nanotechnology, and high reliability and high quality manufacturing technologies. Meanwhile, we will continue future collaboration with Dr Reddy’s in other fields.”

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