Glenmark Farmaceutica Ltda. (GFL), the wholly-owned Brazilian subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GPL), acquired a leading hormonal brand 'Uno-Ciclo' from Instituto Biochimico Industria Farmaceutica Ltda (Biochimico) for US$ 4.6 million. The brand generated sales of US$ 3.1 million in Brazil in the 12 months prior to the acquisition.

Glen Saldanha, Managing Director and CEO of Glenmark Pharma said, "The purchase of Uno-Ciclo is another step towards enhancing our product basket and extending our reach in Brazil and the Latin American region.''

GFL has acquired the trademark along with exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights globally. As part of the agreement, Biochimico will contract manufacture the product for GFL. GFL will initially market the brand in Brazil and will work on extending the coverage to other Latin American markets in the course of time.

Ailton Wiliczinski, Country Manager, GFL, stated, "The brand, Uno-Cicio, holds great promise and we are happy to add it to our portfolio of 24 brands. This acquisition is an additional link in our plan to more than double the revenues from the business over the course of the next financial year.''

GFL also added 3 new brands to is portfolio in the last quarter of FY05 and plan to add 6-7 more next year. Operations have been integrated with the Indian parent that will provide support on product development, and selective API and formulation supplies.

The overall Brazilian market, with sales of US$ 7 billion, is the largest pharmaceutical market in South America and is the world's eleventh largest pharmaceutical market. Is one of the most attractive semi-regulated markets and offers immense opportunities for pharmaceutical companies like Glenmark Pharma.

GFL was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Glenmark Pharma during March 2003 with the objective of spearheading business in Latin-American market. GFL acquired a private Brazilian firm, Laboratorios Klinger during April 2004 for a consideration of US$ 5.2 million.