Ranbaxy gets nod to sell generic AIDS drug
Ranbaxy Laboratories has received tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market the generic version of Roche's Valcyte (valganciclovir hydrochloride Tablets, 450 mg), a drug used for treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients afflicted with AIDS. Being the first company to apply for the marketing the medicine in the US, Ranbaxy is expected to get 180-days exclusive marketing opportunity after the patent protection on the drug expires. Roche's patent for Valcyte will end in 2015.