Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the Chennai-based global pharma major, has entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with Actavis, one of the world's leading generic pharmaceutical companies, for marketing 9 of its cephalosporin generic formulations in Europe, comprising all the European Union (EU) and Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) countries, numbering 37 in total.

Under this agreement, Orchid will develop and manufacture nine cephalosporin formulations in specific dosage forms and strengths for licensing to and marketing by Actavis in Europe. Actavis would obtain its marketing authorisations based on Orchid's dossiers, which will be provided on a non-exclusive basis to Actavis. These nine cephalosporin formulations licensed to Actavis under the agreement comprise both sterile and oral products. Orchid has already filed 10 dossiers with EU regulatory authorities, which include some of the products under the agreement.

K Raghavendra Rao, managing director, Orchid, said, "We have a successful alliance with Actavis, for development, manufacture and distribution of 10 non-cephalosporin generic products in the US. We greatly value Actavis' decision to team up with Orchid for cephalosporin generic products in Europe. Given the vastness and heterogeneity of the European geography, the pan-European presence of Actavis and Orchid's comprehensive product range, we are confident of achieving robust additions to our business from the European cephalosporin generic foray starting from 2007-08."