Ventiv Health Inc has signed a multi-year agreement with Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), India's largest pharmaceutical company.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ventiv has established a specialty dermatology sales force to market and sell Ranbaxy's Sotret (isotretinoin) for acne therapy. Isotretinoin is the active ingredient in Sotret and the only FDA approved treatment for severe recalcitrant nodular acne. Sotret is the only brand of isotretinoin to offer the unique dosage strength of a 30mg capsule in addition to the 10, 20 and 40mg strengths, increasing the dosing options available to prescribers and patients, according to a release.

Terrell Herring, president and COO, Ventiv Pharma Services, said, "This agreement was one of the new wins previously disclosed, and we are delighted today to announce that it is with Ranbaxy. Given Ventiv's vast experience in the dermatology area, working with Ranbaxy to grow Sotret is a perfect fit for our two companies. We look forward to providing Ranbaxy full operational support and making an immediate impact in the field."

Edward Szostak, Ranbaxy's executive director Sales and Managed Markets Brand Division, said, "Ranbaxy is steadily moving towards building a thriving branded pharmaceutical business and in order to achieve success, we will seek to partner with the best possible service providers. Ventiv's ramp up of a specialized sales force to market and sell Sotret proves that we are making the right decisions."