Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories on Wednesday said it re-launched Esomeprazole Magnesium Delayed-Release capsules in the U.S. market after changing the capsule’s colour.
The drug, indicated for treatment of acid reflux, is a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Astrazeneca’s Nexium. “The re-launch is due to a change in the capsule colour,” a statement from Dr.Reddy’s said.
The company had launched the generic version of Nexium in September, following the USFDA approval. It, however, was restrained in November by a U.S. court from selling the product after Astrazeneca objected to the use of the colour Purple for the generic product. The temporary restraining order was passed pending further hearing or trial, Dr.Reddy’s had said.
At the time of the launch in September, the company citing the IMS Health figures said that the sales of both branded and generic Nexium in the U.S. market during the 12 months ended July was $5.2 billion.
On the re-launch, Angel Broking’s VP Research-Pharma Sarabjit Kour Nangra said that the product was expected to contribute around $30 million to $50 million in sales to Dr.Reddy’s.
