GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharma has signed a co-promotion agreement with Daiichi Sankyo India Pharma Ltd (DSIN) in Mumbai for the antihypertensive drug Olmesartan Medoxomil and its combination products.

DSIN is a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd, a leading Japanese Pharmaceuticals company based in Tokyo. Olmesartan, an original research product of Daiichii Sankyo is a US $2 billion worth drug for the company and is available in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Commenting on the deal, Dr Hasit Joshipura, managing director, GSK India said, "This agreement comes close on the heels of our in-licensing agreement for Micafungin last week. Our strategy, as laid out at the beginning of the year, of in- licensing products in specific high growth therapeutic areas is being rolled out and is well on track".

V Vijayendran, president, Daiichi Sankyo India Pharma Pvt Ltd commented that this arrangement meets the specific requirements of both organisations in terms of the participation in the cardiology segment of the IPM and this arrangement would enable the companies to leverage their specific strengths to meet the needs of the Indian population. With this launch Daiichi Sankyo India Pharma Pvt Ltd will mark its entry into India and pave the way for many more research products to be introduced in the future.

Ravi Limaye, vice president, Pharmaceuticals, GSK India added, "With the launch of Olmesartan, GSK will make a very strong entry in the cardio vascular therapeutic segment, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the country. Within this segment, ARB's (Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker) are driving market growth and Benitec i.e, Olmesartan is increasingly getting accepted worldwide as the best in class ARB".