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APN
APN
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited - Aspen Signs MOU For Tb Products
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration Number 1985/002935/06)
(Share code APN ISIN: ZAE000066692)
("Aspen")
Aspen signs MOU for TB products
Johannesburg - JSE listed Aspen (APN) and Indian based Lupin Limited have
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a 50:50
joint venture for the development, manufacture and global marketing of selected
anti-tuberculosis (TB) products. The JV will also investigate opportunities to
enter the Malaria market.
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said "Aspen has long been committed to
sourcing and providing solutions to infectious diseases encompassing HIV/Aids,
TB and Malaria. Our efforts are underpinned by strategic agreements entered into
with leading multinationals for the manufacture and supply of multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) products and generic anti-retrovirals (ARVs).
This agreement further emphasises our resolve to be an active participant in
fighting these diseases which are such a scourge on our continent."
Dr. D. B. Gupta, Chairman, Lupin Limited said, "We believe that this is a very
important step in providing comprehensive therapeutic care in the areas of
conventional TB, MDR-TB and Malaria, which are pandemic in nature and a
concerted effort is required to provide treatment to the infected. Lupin and
Aspen together are best suited to address these disease areas."
While Lupin has traditional strengths in anti-TB formulations and active
pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Aspen will bring a range of MDR-TB products
to the venture. The agreement compliments the synergies between Lupin"s
traditional strengths and Aspen"s experience in the ARV business and African
presence. There is a global trend of bundling the treatments of infectious
diseases which include HIV/Aids, TB & Malaria.
Statistics indicate that 8.6 million new TB cases are diagnosed annually. It is
believed that this only constitutes 70% of infected cases with a greatly reduced
percentage being treated. Research conducted through the World Health
Organisation in 2001 estimates the market size for first line TB products to be
between USD 550 - USD 600 million annually. Of this, 50% of the market is
considered to be Institutional and the balance is prescription based. MDR-TB,
which is caused by bacteria resistant to established TB treatments, is emerging
as a major problem. While the cost of treatment of normal TB with first line
drugs is estimated at USD 40 - USD 100 per patient, the MDR-TB treatment cost is
substantially higher. The cost of treatment is about USD 800 per patient under
the WHO managed program through the Green Light Committee. The MDR-TB market is
relatively small and is expected to grow exponentially over the next 4-5 years.
\ends
Issued by: Shauneen Beukes, Shauneen Beukes Communications
Tel: (012) 661-8467
Fax: (088) (012) 6618467
Cell: 082 389 8900
On Behalf Of: Stephen Saad, Aspen Holdings Group Chief Executive
Tel: (031) 580-8602
Cell: 083 303 4833
Gus Attridge, Aspen Holdings Deputy Group Chief Executive
Tel: (031) 580-8604
Cell: 083 628 8813
27 February 2005
Johannesburg
Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited
Date: 27/02/2006 02:26:36 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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