Sun Pharma arm gets Health Canada approval for acne drug

Sun Pharmaceutical’s subsidiary, Sun Pharma Canada Inc. has received Health Canada’s approval for ABSORICA LD, an oral drug used to treat severe acne in patients 12 years of age and older.

The approval for the drug comes just weeks after the same subsidiary received a nod from the Canadian drug regulator for WINLEVI, another drug used in the treatment of severe acne.

The approval of these drugs will strengthen Sun Pharma’s dermatology portfolio, a segment in the pharmaceutical market that is witnessing strong traction. Dermatology, along with cardiology and oncology are segments within the pharma universe that are seeing huge investments from drug makers in an attempt to grab the lion’s share.

Sun Pharma also jumped on the bandwagon when it acquired US-based Concert Pharmaceuticals for $576 million in January this year to access the company’s dermatology portfolio. Concert Pharma’s dermatology portfolio includes experimental drugs for treating skin diseases, including patchy hair loss.

“Sun Pharma is building a global dermatology and ophthalmology franchise and aims to be a preferred development and commercial partner in these therapies worldwide,” Abhay Gandhi, CEO North America, Sun Pharma had previously said following the acquisition. “There is a significant unmet need in the alopecia areata space and we aim to build on Concert’s commitment to supporting the patient community. We are well positioned to successfully bring this product to market globally. ”

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Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration had also asked Sun Pharma to halt the clinical trials of its experimental dermatological drug due to the potential of blood clots.

At 09.29 am, shares of Sun Pharma were trading flat at Rs 994.90.

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