Wockhardt signs in-licensing agreement with UK's LSI

MUMBAI: Wockhardt has signed an in-licensing agreement with LSI, a UK-based company specialising in dermatology, to market Vitix, a patented product for the treatment of vitiligo, a pigmentation disorder. “This agreement is part of Wockhardt’s initiative to bring new advances in medicine to India,” said Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala.

“We plan to expand our portfolio in cardiology, diabetology and dermatology by introducing new products that have proved their effectiveness in other parts of the world,” he added. Vitix, a gel for topical application, will be manufactured by Wockhardt in India using the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) imported from LSI.

Vitix is expected to be launched in India in the last quarter of ’06. According to a company statement, the drug offers advantages like fast onset of action and high success rate with established safety. The product is marketed in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Africa. The introduction of Vitix strengthens Wockhardt’s dermatology portfolio.

Wockhardt’s dermatology basket includes the Nadoxin range, the only quinolone antibiotic for topical use available in the domestic market, according to the company. Vitiligo, popularly called leucoderma, is a skin disorder affecting 1-2% of global population in which the patient develops white patches caused by localised loss of pigment.

These white patches are liable to sun burn. Although not debilitating, vitiligo is often emotionally stressful to the patient. Usually, the only treatment is skin colouring cosmetics or depigmenting agents. Some limited success has been reported using “PUVA” therapy in which plant extracts called “psoralens” are administered orally and the patient subsequently exposed to UV-A light.