Ranbaxy Launches Lulifin In India

Ranbaxy Labroratories (Ranbaxy) has launched a new chemical entity (NCE), Lulifin (Luliconazole), in the Indian dermatology market following a strategic in-licencing agreement with Summit Pharmaceuticals International (SPI) that gives it exclusive marketing rights.

Lulifin is a topical imidazole that is indicated for cutaneous mycoses caused by Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris. Currently, topical imidazoles and allylamines are used for the treatment of cutaneous mycoses with disadvantages like long duration of therapy, which leads to poor compliance and a high relapse rate.

Reportedly, the clinical trials conducted by Nihon Nohyaku with Pola Chemical Industries (currently, Pola Pharma), in Japan and by Ranbaxy, in India, confirmed the at par efficay with other topical inidazoles but with the added advantage other shorter therapy duration and once a day application.

Sanjeev Dani, senior vice president and regional director of Asia, CIS and Africa at Ranbaxy, said: “It is well recognised that in post patent era, licencing would be the key strategy to bring New Chemical Entities to India. Dermatology is one of the top priority therapeutic areas for us and we are pleased to introduce Lulifin in the Indian market. We would be manufacturing the product in India under licence from SPI, Japan.”