Cadila Pharma signs pact with Bactiguard to sell products for prevention of hospital acquired infection

AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals has entered into an agreement with company Bactiguard to sell the Swedish drug firm's products in India. The products are aimed at prevention of hospital acquired infections.

Bactiguard provides solutions preventing hospital acquired infections, which are the fourth largest cause of death in the western world. The company has the technology to use thin noble metal coating that has antimicrobial and biocompatible properties that can be used on all sorts of medical devices. The company’s product can reduce health cost for the governments and lower the use of antibiotics and save lives.

In 2009, Cadila Pharma entered into a joint venture with US-based vaccine company Novavax that uses virus-like-particle (VLP) technology for production of vaccines, which can produce large quantity of vaccine at lower price and lesser time.

Dr. Rajiv Modi, managing director, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd says: "Hospital- acquired infections are a big problem for patients in India and Bactiguard has a unique solution targeted at preventing health care associated infections."

Commenting on the development, Christian Kinch, CEO of Bactiguard, said: "India is one of the world's most fastest growing markets right now, and will provide India with our expertise in the field of infection protection.

We are hoping to reduce the number of hospital acquired infections and thereby also reduce the use of antibiotics in India". The Indian medical device market is currently worth approximately $ 2 billion and growing 15% annually.