Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratory said on Wednesday it has launched the generic version of Merck & Co's prostate cancer drug Proscar in the US market after the expiry of its patent.

"As per our agreement with Merck, we have the permission to launch our version of the drug in the US if a 180-day marketing exclusivity period was granted to any other company," a DRL spokesperson told PTI from Hyderabad.

According to the deal signed between the two companies earlier this year, DRL would be allowed to distribute and sell the generic versions of the cholesterol reducing drug Zocor and Proscar.

The company had informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that Teva Pharmaceuticals of Israel had been granted the 180-day marketing exclusivity for Finsteride 5 mg, after expiry of Merck's patent on Proscar.

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