Ranbaxy Laboratories [Get Quote] Limited said on Wednesday it had entered into an in-licensing agreement with Netherlands-based Eurodrug Laboratories for introducing the asthma product Doxophylline in India.

Doxophylline, a novel Xanthine bronchodilator developed in collaboration with many European medical centres, will be introduced for the first time in India under the brand name Synasma, the company said in a statement.

Commenting on the development, Ranbaxy regional director India and West Asia Sanjeev I Dani said, "It is our strategic intent to in-license differentiated products for the Indian market in the post-patent era and this drug augments the Company's position in the fast growing asthma segment."

Synasma (Doxophylline) is yet another innovative asthma drug to be introduced in India for the 'first' time, by Ranbaxy, he added.

Reflecting the commitment of Ranbaxy in continuing to launch new molecules with unique action mechanisms, Dani said Doxophylline would build on the oral asthma franchise of Ranbaxy, which is already a leader in the montelukast market.

The drug is indicated for chronic bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is considered to be superior to available Xanthine analogues, like Theophylline and Aminophylline.

Eurodurg has been successfully marketing this medicine in Europe, Latin America and few Asian markets like Korea, Philippines and Thailand. India presently has an estimated 15 to 20 million asthmatic patients and the estimated prevalence rate in children aged between 5 and 11, is between 10 and 15 per cent.

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