Chennai-based Rs. 1700 crore plus pharma major Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd has received US FDA approval for its ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) for olanzapine tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg strengths.

Olanzapine tablets are the generic equivalent of Eli Lilly’s Zyprexa tablets. For the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 the total sales for this product in the US were approximately US$ 3.3 billion (IMS Health, MAT 2011).

Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is involved in the development, manufacture and marketing of diverse bulk actives, formulations  and nutraceuticals. With exports spanning more than 75 countries, Orchid is the largest manufacturer- exporter of cephalosporin bulk actives in India and is ranked amongst the Top 5-cephalosporin producers  in the world.