Dr Reddy's Laboratories is inching closer to becoming the first Indian drug maker to have a successful research product in the global market. Dr K Anji Reddy, Chairman, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, said the company would launch it diabetes drug in a short time.
He said his dreams are closer to becoming a reality. Reddy, known as the man who initiated drug discovery research in India, said his original research product named Balaglitazone has sailed into phase three human trials. Balaglitazone is used to treat diabetes and could become one of the best products in the global markets.
Excerpts from exclusive interview with Dr K Anji Reddy:
Q: When will you be launching Balaglitazone in the market?
A: My gut feeling is that by 2010 we should be able to file, and then in 2011 it should come into the market.
Q: In terms of reference product Actos or Pioglitazone, you say Balaglitazone still has a better record in terms of patient's safety and efficacy.
A: We want to first establish the non-inferiority over Pioglitazone. If we show that the weight gain in edema is far less than the existing glitazones, I think Balaglitazone will differentiate by itself.
Q: What do you think about the US FDA condition that there should be a black box label on Avandia or Rosiglitazone?. Do you think doctors will be reluctant to prescribe that product to diabetics?
A: I do not think so. In spite of all this controversy, Pioglitazone sales have gone up so. If the Pioglitazone black box warning is there, it's not going to change the opinion of doctors.
Q: To further sharpen your research focus, I believe Dr Reddy's will be launching one biological product every year in the international market. Is your research costs going to spiral because of this?
A: Our sales are growing and are currently over USD 1.5 billion. So, we are prepared to spend more.
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