Wockhardt Ltd has signed an In-licensing agreement with LSI, a UK-based company specialising in dermatology, to market Vitix, a patented product for the treatment of vitiligo, a pigmentation disorder.

Vitiligo, popularly called leucoderma, is a skin disorder affecting 1 per cent to 2 per cent of global population in which the patient develops white patches caused by localised loss of pigment. These white patches are liable to sun burn.

"This agreement is part of the Wockhardt's initiative to bring new advances in medicine to India," said the company's chairman Habil Khorakiwala. "We plan to expand our portfolio in cardiology, diabetology and dermatology by introducing new products that have proved their effectiveness in other parts of the world."

Vitix, a gel for topical application, will be manufactured by the Company in India from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) imported from LSI Vitix is expected to be launched in India in the last quarter of 2006.

Vitix offers advantages like fast onset of action and high success rate with established safety. Vitix is now marketed in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Africa.

Introduction of Vitix strengthens the Company's dermatology portfolio. The company's dermatology basket includes the Nadoxin range, India's only quinolone antibiotic for topical use, which has gained wide acceptance among dermatologists.

Although not debilitating, vitiligo is often emotionally stressful to the patient. Usually, the only treatment is skin colouring cosmetics or depigmenting agents. Some limited success has been reported using "PUVA" therapy in which plant extracts called "psoralens" are administered orally and the patient subsequently exposed to UV-A light.