AZ taps Aurobindo for branded-generics supply

AstraZeneca is pumping up in India once again. The drugmaker has inked a supply deal with generics maker Aurobindo Pharma, its second supply arrangement with an Indian manufacturer. Aurobindo has signed on to make "a broad range" of products to be sold under the AstraZeneca brand in emerging markets.

Among the products are anti-infectives, cardiovascular drugs and central nervous system agents. The deal will help AstraZeneca "extend the range of branded medicines we are able to offer patients in emerging markets," the company's branded generics chief, Kaushik Banerjee, said in a statement, "where we see continued opportunities to grow our business."

Earlier this year, AZ set up a similar licensing-and-supply deal with Torrent Pharmaceuticals, another Indian generics maker. Torrent is slated to provide 18 products for sale in nine countries under the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker's brand name. The type of products and specific countries weren't disclosed.

AstraZeneca is moving into branded generics in a big way, augmenting its own products with alliances like these two. The company says it's aiming to grow emerging markets sales to 25 percent of its overall business. Of course, it will have plenty of competition; everyone who's anyone in Big Pharma has targeted emerging countries for growth.

- see the Aurobindo release
- get the story from the Economic Times
- see the Reuters news
- check out the WSJ article