Zydus Cadila has launched the novel statin Pitavastatin, the latest addition to the family of statins, under the brand name Pitava. It is being launched for the 1st time in India.

Pitava, available in strengths of 1 mg and 2 mg tablets, enables aggressive lipid management in patients suffering from high levels of cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).

'Statins' are a class of drugs, which lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. The statins are the most effective group of drugs for lowering the levels of cholesterol and work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is involved in the production of cholesterol.

The statin market in India is presently estimated at Rs 2.27bn and is expected to cross Rs 3bn next year (Source: ORG Oct., 2004). The other statins available in India include Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Pravastatin and Rosuvastatin.

It is the third new molecule launch in the cardiovascular segment by Zydus Cadila over the last two years, the others being Zytanix - a diuretic and Aggramed - a drug for acute coronary syndrome. Both drugs were also launched for the first time.

The group is currently the number one player in the cardiovascular market valued at Rs 22.72bn with a market share of 7 per cent, release from Cadila said.