Dr. Reddy’s acquires prescription business of JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals in Russia & other CIS markets

Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories today said that it has entered into an agreement with Mumbai's JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals to acquire its pharmaceutical prescription portfolio in the Russia and other CIS regions, for an undisclosed amount.

The agreement involves acquisition of 20 brands, key ones being Metrogyl and Jocet, for a $34.85 million. Dr. Reddy's has also entered into a supply agreement with JB Chemicals for the continued manufacturing and supply of these products associated with the acquired brands.

"This acquisition will help expand our prescription, hospital and OTC portfolio, complement our existing strong basket of products and add to our growth aspirations in the Russia & other CIS regions,'' Satish Reddy, managing director and COO, Dr Reddy's said.

For Dr Reddy's, the brands being acquired across key therapeutic areas will add to the its revenues in Russia and CIS markets. The acquired portfolio also includes products in the hospital segment where Dr Reddy's has an established presence through a field force and network of distributors in the RCIS Markets.

Dr Reddy's also gains access to several hospital products in the pipeline, some of which would be 'first generic to launch'.

Jocet, an important brand in the Rx portfolio gives Dr. Reddy's an entry into the $256-million cold and cough market, while Unispaz, Metrogyl gel and Metrogyl vaginal gel would strengthen Dr. Reddy's current portfolio.