India on Wednesday launched its first indigenously launched anti-malaria new-age drug ‘Synriam'. The drug, produced by Ranbaxy Laboratories, was formally introduced for marketing here.
The drug, launched by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the presence of Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, has been developed by the company in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research.
Malaria claims half a million lives every year globally and India contributes to 77 per cent malaria cases of the 2.5 million cases of malaria reported annually from South East Asia.
The dual-molecule combination drug conforms to the recommendations of World Health Organisation (WHO) and will be required to be taken only once a day for three days.
The drug Synriam is to be used to treat uncomplicated “Plasmodium falciparum” malaria in adults. It provides relief from most malaria-related symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent.
“Today, India joins the elite club of the countries to have developed a new drug indigenously for malaria on the occasion of World Malaria Day,” Ranbaxy Laboratories CEO and MD Arun Sawhney said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Azad said the drug should be made accessible and affordable so that poor and needy can purchase it as they are the ones who are most exposed to malaria.
After commencing research on the drug in 2003, the company received the Drug Controller General of India's (DCGI) approval in 2011 to manufacture and market it in India.
The drug is efficacious and has the advantage of “compliance and convenience” as it can be taken at any time before or after meals. The course is one tablet a day for three days. Unlike artemisinin-based drugs, it has a synthetic source, the production of which can be scaled up whenever required and a consistent supply of the drug can be maintained at low cost.
The company has spent close to $ 30 million on research and development of the drug, of which the Government of India contributed a total of Rs. 5 crore.
The company also plans to introduce the drug in African countries once the clinical trials are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals are received.
Company's President (R&D) Sudershan Arora said the clinical trials in Africa will be over by the first quarter of 2013 and the drug could be introduced in the same year after getting the necessary approvals there.
Keywords: anti-malaria drug
Congratulation to the R&D team at Ranbaxy for this breakthrough. I hope the drug is not restricted to use in India only, meets global standards and becomes available in other malaria afflicted countries. This is combination of two drugs Pepiraquine (Piperaquine is an antimalarial drug, a bisquinoline first synthesised in the 1960s, and used extensively in China and Indochina as prophylaxis and treatment during the next 20 years. Usage declined in the 1980s as piperaquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum arose) and arterolane (not an artemisinine analog as mentioned, but inspired from endoperoxide structure of artemisinin). Arterolane, the new antimalarial component of this combination was originally designed and made by Dr Jonathan Vennerstrome at the University of Nebraska US. A note acknowledging his contribution and subsequent support by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (a non profit PPP at Geneva) was important. MMV support brought Arterolane to stage of clinical trials.
The comments by most readers made me realize how that half-baked or little knowledge is dangerous. Ranbaxy is NOT an Indian company anymore, just like Hindustan Levers or Proctor and Gamble are not, notwithstanding their Indian subsidiaries. As simple as that. This should answer Vekat’s inquiry, “Is Ranbaxy a Indian Pharma Co. now?)”
The statement by Raman,” Synriam is a two component medication, whose one component is an analog inspired from artemisisnin.” Is blatantly false. IT is NOT an analog, which in organic chemistry is a very restricive world. The only STRUCTURAL COMMONALITY between the plant-derived Artmissinin and the basic component, arterolane , of Synriam® is both of them have an “OZONIDE” functionality.
Finally, most of the R&D and chemical synthesis etc of the key ingredient arterolane maleate were, presumably, done at the University of Nebraska, Nebraska, and there are plenty of publications in chemical literature to lend credence to this fact.
Ranbaxy, please aggressively market Synriam worldwide at the lowest price so that the third world people will be relieved from the prevailing cut-throat practice in the pharmaceutical sector.
FIrst of all this is not a new drug. It is a combination of two already marketed drugs, which were discovered and developed by some multinational company. In addition, it works for uncomplicated malaria, the form of malaria which already has several effective medications. Tell me what is new and innovative in this achievment. It is easy to fool general public and politicians who have no knowledge of drug discovery or development. However, a market place with competition will not be kind for such products.
First, the content does not go with the title. What does the author mean by 'native'? Does she mean developed by an Indian Pharma Company? (Is Ranbaxy a Indian Pharma Co. now?). or is the drug obtained from some natural source (as mentioned somewhere in the article that unlike artemisinin based drug..). the reporter says the company spent $ 30 million while the GoI spend Re. 5 Crore. It should have both been in the same currency so that it reaches the readers well.
Why am I reminded of the notorious "contraceptive vaccine" that was announced with much fanfare by the government some twenty years ago? It was condemned by the internationl scientists community, and also by some famous scientists in India. The government pooh-poohed all criticism, and the minister for health at that time (Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, as I remember), went to the extent of saying that the inventor of the vaccine would win a Nobel prize. Far from that, the said scientist was later found guilty of fraud and misconduct, though in some other matters. But, falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus.
Therefore, let us keep the celebrations at a low key.
This is a huge development for India and also for Ranbaxy. Both the people who take this medication and one who prescribes need to be careful that they are in compliance. Meaning the patient should take the medication to complete the course and the doctors must not prescribe on an indiscriminate and wanton manner. Not strictly adhering to these rules, will definitely result in the resistance to these newer medication. People are already noticing significant resistance with artemisinin, a natural Chinese herbal medication whose initial success against malarial parasites paved the way for Synriam. Synriam is a two component medication, whose one component is an analog inspired from artemisisnin. Understand that the resistance will appear and cannot be avoided. The key is to make sure that efficacy of this new malarial medication lasts longer by strict adherence.
Its very nice to hear that an anti-malaria drug has been launched.It will surely eradicate "Malaria".Thanks to Ranbaxy.
Dear reporter,
Could you please find if this new drug is efficient against a new strain of drug resistant
malaria that is spreading in Cambodia, Burma?
good
The enormous talents available in the country should be well utilised with a proper planning. If done so amazing results would be on our way. This feat of Ranbaxy is an example.
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