Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited has entered into an in-licensing agreement for the Indian domestic market, with the Netherlands based pharma company, Eurodrug Laboratories, for the asthma product Doxophylline-a Novel Xanthine Bronchodilator.

The product developed in collaboration with many European medical centers, will be introduced for the first time in India under the Brand Name 'Synasma.' The drug is indicated for Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and is considered to be superior to available Xanthine analogues, like Theophylline and Aminophylline. Eurodurg has been successfully marketing this medicine in Europe, Latin America and few Asian markets like Korea, Philippines and Thailand, stated a release.

Sanjeev I. Dani, Regional Director -India & Middle East-, Ranbaxy, said "Synasma is yet another innovative asthma drug to be introduced in India for the first time, by Ranbaxy. It is our strategic intent to in-licence differentiated products for the Indian market in the post-patent era and this drug augments the company's position in the fast growing asthma segment."

Dani further added, " Doxophylline will build on the oral asthma franchise of Ranbaxy, which is already a leader in the montelukast market."

India presently has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatic patients and the estimated prevalence rate in 5-11 year old children is between 10-15%. A large segment of the population is susceptible to this disorder. The classified triggers for asthma include environment pollutants, molds, dust mites, certain food etc and the disease affects all sections of the society.