Panacea Biotec granted patent for 'controlled release' nimesulide composition

07 August 2006

Panacea Biotec Ltd has announced having been granted a 20-year Indian patent for its process for the preparation of controlled release pharmaceutical composition containing nimesulide.

Panacea Biotec controlled release nimesulide, a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was launched under the brand name 'Willgo' in 2004 in India. The company says Willgo has recorded a growth rate of around 48 per cent over last year according to ORG IMS June '2006.

"The recent grant of extended release nimesulide, Willgo, patent has greatly boosted our morale to keep up our efforts in developing novel and innovative drug delivery systems through our R&D efforts. Willgo provides effective management of osteoarthritis by providing continuous relief from chronic joint pain in osteoarthritis patients. Willgo offers excellent patient compliance, as only one tablet needs to be taken at bedtime. We have already received this patent in 10 countries so far, out of 34 countries, where patent applications have been flied," says Rajesh Jain, joint managing director, Panacea Biotec Ltd.

According to IMS MIDAS Quantum, (June 2005) the size of the global NSAID market is around $11 billion annually. Between 2000-2005, NSAIDs categorised as coxibs (celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, etoricoxib) were the most preferred NSAIDs in managing osteoarthritis. The total NSAID market in India is estimated at Rs1,034 crore annually. Nimesulide is the largest selling single ingredient NSAID in oral dosage form, with a market of around Rs1,260 million, annually in India, estimates ORG IMS-May'06.