Pharma major Wockhardt has inked an in-licensing agreement with Swiss firm DSM Nutritional Products AG to market Bonistein, a patented product, designed to manage osteoporosis.
Currently, the anti-osteoporosis formulations market is estimated at over Rs 250 crore in India, with a growth rate of 19%.
"There is a growing awareness of the debilitating problem of osteoporosis in India. Bonistein, an internationally acclaimed brand will complement and further strengthen our existing orthopaedic portfolio," said Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala. "Wockhardt will continue to offer the Indian medical practitioners break-through products that will cater to the needs of these emerging problems in an holistic manner," he added.
India has close to 61 million patients reportedly suffering from osteoporosis and nearly 50% of this population are post-menopausal women. By 2030, as per the World Health Organisation, the population of post-menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis will be the second highest in the world, next only to China.
Bonistein, a patented product with US FDA approval, is backed by extensive clinical trials and was first launched in the US in 2002. It is currently available in Europe, South Africa and many countries in Asia.
Wockhardt will launch Bonistein towards the mid-2009. Earlier in 2007-08, Wockhardt signed in-licensing pacts for niche products that had proved their effectiveness in Europe and the US for treatment of vitiligo, scar treatment, osteo-arthritis, anti ageing, dental and musculo-skeletal pain. |
