Ethypharm India, a subsidiary of leading French drug delivery company Ethypharm SA, announced an out-licensing cum supply agreement for Mesalazine targeted release pellets in sachet form with Solvay Pharma India Limited.

The product has been developed by Ethypharm India and would be supplied from Ethypharm's manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Mumbai as finished and packaged formulation for marketing and distribution by Solvay Pharma India Ltd.

Mesalazine is indicated for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a long-standing inflammatory disease of the lining of the large intestine (Colon). The symptoms include bloody diarrhoea associated with pain and cramps in the abdomen. Meslazine pellets in sachets is particularly useful formulation for patients who have difficulty in swallowing with tablets. It provides an effective alternative to the conventional Mesalazine tablets. The Indian market of Mesalazine is approximately Rs 20 crore annually and is expected to grow significantly with the addition of this Novel Drug Delivery System product.

"We are very pleased to partner with Solvay," said VK Singh, CEO of Ethypharm, "As they are best poised to take such a product to the market. The world market for this product is close to USD 2 billion. We see an immense opportunity to address an unmet medical need in this category and plan to bring more innovative products in this segment. This unique presentation in the sachet brings an element of convenience to the patient," said Singh.

Dominique Baum managing director of Solvay India commented, "Mesalazine will perfectly complement our product portfolio in the gastroenterology range." This speciality for the treatment of IBD will be available to the health care community under the brand name Rowasa."

Ethypharm is one of the world leaders in DDS technology offering variety of oral modified release formulations through its patented technologies.

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical group with headquarters in Brussels.