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Morepen files Process Patent for Montelukast Sodium
New Delhi, June10,2003
Montelukast Sodium is a revolutionary drug for asthma prescribed as single daily dose with an added advantage for pediatric use.
Montelukast sodium (Singular) has a market size of US$ 1.24 billions with a growth rate of about   24% in USA.
Morepen has developed and filed a process patent for a highly innovative new process to manufacture Montelukast Sodium which yields exceedingly pure product which superior efficacy.

Morepen Labs Limited has recently filed International process patent application entitled "An improved method for the preparation of Montelukast acid and sodium salt thereof in amorphous form". Montelukast is a high value block buster antiasthamatic drug prescribed as single daily dose with an added advantage for pediatric use. This is the seventh International Patent filed by Morepen in less than two years. Morepen Laboratories Ltd. is known to develop non-infringing processes of high value synthetically complex bulk drugs. Montelukast sodium has an US market size of US$ 1.24 billions growing at the rate of approximately 24%. This new non- infringing process to manufacture Montelukast Sodium is cost effective with high purity, low residual solvent contents and elevated yield. Morepen has developed and filed PCT application on a novel process for the preparation of exceptionally pure Montelukast acid converted to a superior quality of Montelukast Sodium.

This will also give Morepen an advantage to circumvent the patents of polymorphs which are crystalline forms and find its foot hold in regulated markets. Montelukast Sodium is an anti-asthmatic drug much in demand internationally, including regulatory markets as an effective treatment for asthma even in children. Morepen will be soon filing a DMF for the Montelukast Sodium.

Speaking on the development Mr. Sushil Suri, CMD Morepen Labs said, "Innovation in pharmaceuticals is not possible without Research &Development. Montelukast Sodium is a unique treatment for asthma. Development of the non-infringing process yielding high purity product would lead to a demand globally hence, promising good revenues for the company in future."

Morepen, driven by its passion for adhering to international quality standards has created an excellent in-house R&D center, which focuses on identifying and manufacturing high value-added complex new molecules for introduction in the generic market. Sophisticated, state-of-the art instruments like HPLC, GC, FTIR, and UV spectrophotometer are used for standardisation of manufacturing processes. Key areas in which, R& D is carried out by the company include Maximizing utilisation of indigenous raw materials and import, development of new drug formulations and delivery systems, development of products based on medicinal plants, development of safety and environment conservation methods and Process and product development for existing and new products

The other patents granted to or filed by Morepen are for Fluvastatin Sodium, a cholesterol-lowering drug and belongs to the Statin family and has an estimated market size of US $ 500 million globally that is growing at the rate of 25%. Morepen is the only generic manufacture of this product worldwide. Atorvastatin Calcium, for new and improved process for the preparation of Atorvastatin calcium amorphous, Atorvastatin Calcium,-for a novel process for the preparation of new polymorph of Atorvastatin calcium, Loratadine for an improved process for the production of Loratadine. Desloratadine for improved process. In the area of formulation, Morepen has filed PCTs for method of preparation of garlic ointment for topical use in skin infection and Cotrimoxazole for method of preparation of antibacterial gel.


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