Ranbaxy Launches Volix (Voglibose) For Treatment Of Diabetes, First Time In India

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 30 Jan 2006 - 19:00 PDT

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Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) today announced the launch of its branded product Volix (Voglibose), for the treatment of diabetes. The product, a novel Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor introduced for the first time in India, will be available in dosages of 0.2 mg & 0.3 mg tablets.

Voglibose is indicated for improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus only when diet and/or exercise or oral hyperglycemic drug or Insulin preparation in addition to diet and/or exercise, does not result in adequate glycemic (Glycemic) control. The avoidance of high postprandial (aftermeals) blood glucose level is one of the main advantages of drug.

Commenting on the launch of Volix, Dr. S.K.Wagnoo, MD, DM, Sr. Consultant Diabetologist & Endocrinologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi said, "Volix (Voglibose) will provide Indian doctors with an efficacious medicine which is a strong and selective inhibitor as compared to the available 'Alpha-Glucosidase' - Acarbose. The effect of Voglibose as an inhibitor of sucrase and maltase is 190-270 times greater than that of Acarbose."

Presently there are about 150 million diabetic patients worldwide, out of which 33 million are in India alone. As per WHO estimates, the number of diabetics worldwide would increase to 300 million by 2025, with India becoming the Diabetes capital of the world.

Speaking of the launch, Sanjeev Dani, Regional Director, India & Middle East, Ranbaxy, said, "Volix further expands Ranbaxy's strategic diabetes portfolio and reiterates the Company's commitment to strengthen and build on its existing diabetes franchise."

In July 2005, Nihon Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd. (NPI), a Joint Venture between Ranbaxy and Nippon Chemiphar Limited (NC), launched Voglibose tablets under the brand name, Vogseal in Japan. This is Ranbaxy's first generic product in the Japanese pharmaceutical market to have gained market leadership amongst competing generic products, with a market share of 36%.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, headquartered in India, is an integrated, research based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. Ranbaxy's continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research. The Company's foray into Novel Drug Delivery Systems has led to proprietary "platform technologies", resulting in a number of products under development. The Company is serving its customers in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 46 countries and manufacturing operations in 7 countries.

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