Ranbaxy Ready To Help The U.S. Government To Meet The Avian Flu Challenge

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 05 Dec 2005 - 4:00 PDT

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Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL) said today that if called upon by the US Government or by the innovator, Roche, the Ranbaxy global organization is well prepared to provide oseltamivir phosphate capsules (generic version of Tamiflu®) to the U.S. healthcare system to meet the threat of the Avian flu, that has now become a global concern.

Dr. Brian Tempest, CEO and Managing Director of RLL , stated, "In terms of available capacity, within six months, we anticipate being able to produce 22 Tons per Annum (TPA) of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) based on Ranbaxy's API process. Within a twelve month period, we expect to scale up our operations to produce a total of 100 TPA. The 22TPA translates to a total of approximately 300 Million 75mg capsules, and within a year to a total of 1.3 Billion 75mg. capsules. The API would be manufactured in Ranbaxy's FDA compliant facilities in India, and the capsules could be manufactured at its US facilities. It is estimated that within the first six months approximately 20 Million patients could receive a course of treatment, and within the first year in excess of 100 Million patients could be managed for the Avian flu."

"The starting material (shikimic acid) is critical to the entire process and all efforts will be made to secure the required quantities from a variety of independent sources. Ranbaxy will make all efforts to work with the USFDA to secure approvals to manufacture the API as well as capsules within Ranbaxy facilities in order to reach the projected goals as may be indicated by the US Government. We are prepared and are committed to meet the needs of the US healthcare system, and are able and willing to partner with other organizations, including the innovator, to effectively meet this public health challenge that threatens the US," according to Dr. Tempest.

Roche, the innovator, has in fact been in talks with Ranbaxy in the recent weeks to explore various avenues for partnership between the two companies in order to meet the immediate and critical requirements of oseltamivir phosphate.

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 100 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 46 countries and manufacturing operations in 7 countries.

* Tamiflu ® is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories Inc.

Ranbaxy Inc., Princeton, NJ

Chuck Caprariello
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Mobile +1 609 462 7354
e-mail: chuck.caprariello@ranbaxy.com

Robert Ferris
RF Binder Partners,Inc
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Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, Gurgaon, India

Ramesh L. Adige
Whole-time Director- Corporate Affairs and
Global Corporate Communications
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
Plot 90, Sector 32, Gurgaon
Haryana - 122001, India
Tel: +91-124-5135000
e-mail: ramesh.adige@ranbaxy.com

or

Raghu Kochar
Director-Corporate Communications
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
Plot 90, Sector 32, Gurgaon
Haryana - 122001, India
Tel: +91-124-5135141
e-mail: raghu.kochar@ranbaxy.com

or

Krishnan Ramalingam
Manager- Corporate Communications
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
Plot 90, Sector 32, Gurgaon
Haryana122001, India
Tel: +91-124-5135143
e-mail:krishnan.ramalingam@ranbaxy.com

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