Dr Reddy’s enters licensing pact to market Pharmazz novel therapy Centhaquine in India

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said it has entered into a license agreement with US-based biopharma Pharmazz to commercialise the first-in-class innovative drug Centhaquine in India.
Developed by Pharmazz, Centhaquine is a resuscitative agent presently approved for the treatment of hypovolemic shock by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
As per the agreement, Dr. Reddy’s has received exclusive rights to market and distribute Centhaquine in India.
Pharmazz will be entitled to upfront payments and royalties. Dr. Reddy’s will market the product under the brand name Lyfaquin, which it shall own. In addition to India, Dr. Reddy’s also receives marketing rights for Lyfaquin from Pharmazz for Nepal.
India is the first global territory in which Centhaquine is being launched immediately.
This is the second such deal for Pharmazz founded by Indian-American scientist-turned-entrepreneur Anil Gulati in the last six months. Earlier it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Sun Pharma to market novel anti-stroke therapy sovateltide under brand name Tyvalzi in India. The drug was approved by DCGI, before its approval in India.
“The partnership with Pharmazz and launch of this first-in-class drug marks the latest in our effort to enter into strategic collaborations to bring novel molecules to India to meet genuine unmet patient needs,” said M.V. Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr.Reddy’s.
“The clinical studies for Lyfaquin have demonstrated significantly better and promising outcomes, making it a potential add-on drug in the management of hypovolemic shock and enhancing the current standard of care for its treatment in India,” Ramana added.
“India’s emergence as a hub for developing and introducing innovative medicines is a remarkable achievement. It reflects the country’s growing capabilities in research and development within the pharmaceutical sector. It is a large step for Pharmazz to partner with Dr. Reddy’s, a leading
global pharmaceutical company from India.
Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening and often a fatal condition that leads to severe loss of blood or fluids due
to traumatic haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, post-surgical bleeding, diarrhoea or vomiting can cause hypovolemic shock, which may lead to multi-organ failure and death.
India has a high prevalence of these conditions and high mortality due to these conditions.
Data from various Indian studies and registries suggests a mortality rate of around 10 to 15% in traumatic
haemorrhages despite the existing standard of care. This suggests a need for a novel resuscitative agent which can improve the existing standard of care.
Centhaquine is a first-of-its-kind resuscitative agent to treat hypovolemic shock. It works by increasing stroke volume and cardiac output due to an increase in (preload) venous blood return to the heart and a decrease in (afterload) due to arterial dilatation.
Source: Economictimes