Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with K S Biomedix Ltd (KSB), a U.K. based bio-pharmaceutical company for marketing TransMID, a novel biopharmaceutical product for treatment of brain cancer. This agreement accords Ranbaxy exclusive marketing rights for TransMID in India and an option to extend this arrangement to China and other South East Asian markets.

TransMID is about to enter Phase III trials and is in development for the treatment of high-grade glioma, a terminal brain cancer for which there is no known cure. A study conducted at leading neuro-oncology centres in the USA showed highly promising clinical response rates and an improvement in survival times in patients with recurrent brain cancer. The US FDA has granted TransMID Fast Track status for the treatment of malignant tumours of the central nervous system.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Brian Tempest, President-Pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited said, " Ranbaxy is committed to building global relationships to bring cutting edge technologies and products to India. The emerging IPR scenario will demand extensive networking amongst pharmaceutical companies and Ranbaxy is well positioned to lead this trend. We will continue to provide novel products for Indian customers and are very excited to add TransMID to our portfolio and believe that this product will help us strengthen our position in the high value Oncology Segment."

Ranbaxy will augment its existing portfolio with proprietary products through in-licensing and in-house development in order to prepare for a product patent regime that will be enforced in 2005. Ranbaxy is the first Indian company to in-license a late stage development compound in the Oncology Segment, mirroring a growing international trend, where pharmaceutical companies license compounds to supplement their development pipelines. Meanwhile, KSB has successfully licensed this product in Japan & Europe, while retaining rights for the North-American market.

Dr Steven Powell, KSB Chief Executive Officer, commented: "This latest agreement is the fourth territory licensed for TransMID this year, extending the commercial coverage for the product significantly. Ranbaxy is an excellent partner and will be able to support TransMID strongly in the region. "