Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals has signed an exclusive marketing and supply agreement with Apotex Inc to source injectable antibiotics for Canadian market. Through this arrangement, Apotex will market Orchid's generic antibiotic injectable formulation in Canada.

The agreement covers eight injectable antibiotic formulations, three of which are to go off patent. As per the agreement, Orchid will supply the injectable antibiotic finished dosage forms exclusively to Apotex, who would source them exclusively from Orchid for marketing in the territory.

Apotex is a dominant player in the Canadian generics market. We hope to secure a major share in the Canadian market with the alliance. The existing alliance for the larger US market is functioning well. We have already kicked of our ANDA filings with the US FDA and are hopeful of a strong entry and presence in the North American markets," said K. Raghavendra Rao, managing director, Orchid Chemicals.

The company's new US FDA compliant formulation facility at Irungattukottai, near Chennai will manufacture and supply generic formulations to the US and Canadian markets. Orchid has targeted an aggressive calendar of 15 ANDA filings during this fiscal.