Cipla announces commercial tie-up with UK-based S&D Pharma

Pharmaceutical firm Cipla on Monday announced commercial collaboration with UK-based S&D Pharma in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In a Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing, Cipla said this collaboration will enable it to focus on its core therapy areas, while S&D Pharma will be the key partner for generics.

Under the collaboration, Cipla will drive its respiratory product portfolio in both Czech Republic and Slovakia through a Cipla-owned sales force team, managed by Cipla commercial head, the company said in a statement.

S&D Pharma will physically distribute all products, including respiratory products, and this portfolio will increase over the next few years, it added.

Commenting on the announcement, Cipla, Europe Head, Frank Pieters said, "We are excited to partner with S&D Pharma and believe that this collaboration will enable us to drive access in the Czech Republic and Slovakia across therapy areas in the coming years."

"Through this collaboration we have secured a competitive and varied product pipeline for the future and very much look forward to contributing to the future success of Cipla's respiratory range," S&D Pharma CEO Daniel Straus said.

The company said that in the near future, after regulatory approvals, the Salmeterol-Fluticasone fixed combination inhaler will be launched in both markets under the name Fullhale.

"With Fullhale we will offer in Czech Republic and Slovakia an alternative which is effective and efficient and therefore brings many advantages into a market which suffers from limited resources," Cipla added.