Orchid Pharma to make Merck's anti-coagulant drug

K Raghavendra RaoChennai-based Orchid  Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, today said that it would develop and manufacture an anti-coagulant drug, initially discovered and developed through phase I clinical trials by Merck & Co.

Orchid will develop and make the drug through its US subsidiary Diakron Pharmaceuticals Inc, in which the Chennai-based firm has acquired a majority stake. Privately-owned Diakron specialises in the development of products for treating certain cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Diakron has an exclusive license agreement with Merck for the anti-coagulant compound which gives it all rights to develop, and, if approved, market and distribute it worldwide.

Orchid said the new compound is for a novel investigational oral drug, which it expects will have considerable potential. The market for oral anticoagulant products is predicted to grow significantly to $5 billion over five years.

Currently, the largest selling oral agent on the market is an old compound with significant drug and patient management issues. Other anticoagulant products are injections which are not optimal for long-term, chronic therapy.

Acordingly, Orchid and Diakron see considerable potential to further develop the Merck compound and position it uniquely first for the prophylaxis and treatment of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement and later for chronic use indications.