Dr Reddy’s, AstraZeneca in pact for diabetes drug

Pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd have entered into a distribution agreement for Riax, a new brand of saxagliptin and Riax-M, which is used in the type-II diabetes treatment.

The drugs are trademarks of the AstraZeneca group which already has two brands under Onglyza and Kombiglyze for saxagliptin and in fixed dose combination with metformin respectively, promoted and distributed in the domestic market. “We are pleased to partner with AstraZeneca in launching saxagliptin and its combination with metformin, an important addition to our diabetes franchise.

“This will expand access to innovative medicines to vast number of diabetes patients in India,’’ Alok Sonig, Senior Vic- President and Head of India Business, Dr Reddy’s, said in a release issued here on Friday.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd will be distributing Riax and Riax M in India.