Aventis group firm acquires diabetes drug technology from Themis

Mumbai: Adventism Pharma Ltd, a group firm of Aventis Pharma Ltd (Sanofi-Aventis Group), has signed a technology transfer agreement for sustained-release metformin developed by Themis Laboratories Pvt Ltd.

The two fixed-dose combinations of glibenclamide (Daonil) and glimepiride (Amaryl) - two best-selling diabetes drugs from the Sanofi-Aventis research pipeline - will be developed using the sustained-release metformin technology developed by Themis Laboratories.

Earlier, both Daonil and Amaryl were available as single-ingredient drugs for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

However, there was a need to introduce a fixed-dose combination for both drugs with metformin sustained-release formulation through a technology that ensures the requisite bioavailability to help patients needing such a combination therapy, the company said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

"The technology transfer agreement with Themis Laboratories enables Aventis Pharma to introduce Daonil (M) and Amaryl (M) in India to give doctors and patients access to top-quality combination products with indigenously developed patented technology of Themis Laboratories. This will widen their portfolio of drugs to manage Type 2 diabetel at various disease progression points. The new fixed-dose combination products use, on an exclusive basis, a patented technology developed by Themis Laboratories that ensures the required bio-availability of individual components and improves convenience and compliance with therapy," Shailesh Ayyangar, managing director of the company, said in the release.

Diabetes is a major problem in India, with an estimated 42 million individuals suffering from this disease. The number is expected to rise to over 80 million by the year 2030.