Venus Remedies Limited has received patent in South Africa for one of the company's research products used to combat beta-lactamase generated drug resistance. This novel combination of a beta-lactam with beta-lactamases inhibitor is a specialty product whose patent was filed in 2004.
Sulbactomax, the innovative drug combination, is indicated mainly for LRTI and pre-post surgical infections caused by wide range of ESBL producing cephalosporin resistant strains. LRTI is a common condition posing a heavy economic burden to the health care system, especially when hospitalization is required.
Post-operative Surgical Site Infections are the most common healthcare-associated infection, occurring in up to five per cent of surgical patients. Treatment of the infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms is difficult, not only because of the resistance to the extended-spectrum cephalosporins themselves, but also because they are often associated with resistance to other antimicrobial agents coded either by the same or different plasmids.
Sulbactomax provides solution to chronic problem of ESBL producing resistant strains by widening the antibacterial spectrum and reducing treatment time. It additionally helps in better tissue penetration and reduces drug and disease induced side effects, thereby giving better patient compliance as is evident from phase-IV clinical trials conducted on around 300 patients by Venus Clinical Research Services. The product is reported to be safe in patients ranging from neonates to adults.
The Republic of South Africa represents one of the most diverse medical markets in the world and is at sixth position out of the 17 Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets. Still, the market is expected to continue growing at around 9 per cent in local currency terms, reaching the value of ZAR 31.7bn (US$3.9bn) at the end of 2013, illustrating significant commercial opportunities. Current SA market size is estimated at about $2 billion which is mainly dependent upon imports which are at $1.44 billion. Sulbactomax has a huge potential to replace the ailing cephalosporin market due to resistance.
Venus launched Sulbactomax about five years back after successful completion of multi-centric phase-III clinical trials and approval from DCGI. At present, Sulbactomax is registered and marketed in many countries of Africa, CIS, Middle East and South East Asia. The company is in the process of out licensing and further registration of Sulbactomax in South African market through CTD route. With grant of this patent in SA, Venus is expecting to generate handsome business out of this research recognition.