Dr. Reddy’s COPD Venture

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Argenta Discovery Limited will jointly develop a novel approach to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ("COPD"). They will collaborate to identify clinical candidates from a certain class of Dr. Reddy's' compounds for use as potential treatments for COPD. Both will jointly develop the selected candidates from the pre-clinical stage up to Phase IIa (proof-of-concept). On successful completion of a Phase IIa trial, the companies may either license-out the candidate for further development and commercialization to a larger pharmaceutical company or continue the further co-development and commercialization themselves. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

COPD is the 4th leading cause of morbidity in the world. It is an unmet medical need, though asthma drugs are widely used for the treatment. The Global COPD and Asthma market is currently valued at $12 billion is expected to reach $16 billion by 2012.

Source: Genetic Engineering News, February 2, 2006.