Further Clinical Trials in Osteoarthritis Pain Suspended for GRC 6211

Further Clinical Trials in Osteoarthritis Pain Suspended for GRC 6211

MUMBAI, India, 24 October, 2008: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India) [Glenmark] has announced that its partner Eli Lilly has suspended further clinical development for GRC 6211 in Osteoarthritis pain. Glenmark and Lilly are currently in discussions on the way forward. 

Under the terms of the agreement signed in Oct'07, Lilly had acquired the rights to a portfolio of transient receptor potential vanilloid sub-family 1 (TRPV1) antagonist molecules, including GRC 6211 which was in early clinical Phase II development at the time. The collaboration between Glenmark and Lilly covers all TRPV1 antagonist molecules discovered by either company.

About TRPV1

TRPV1 is a member of the TRPV family of ion channel proteins. It is expressed in human pain pathways and in sensory neurons that mediate nociceptive signaling.

Research on TRPV1 supports the potential for antagonists of this ion channel to be effective in various pain conditions. The goal of the partnership is to advance GRC 6211 and other promising drug candidates to ultimately provide novel therapies for painful conditions and other diseases and disorders.

About Glenmark Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (GPL) is a research-driven, global, integrated pharmaceutical company headquartered at Mumbai, India. Its shares are listed on India's two large stock exchanges, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It employs over 5500 people across its global operations across 85 countries. The Company is a leader in India in the discovery of new molecules and is focused in the areas of inflammation [Asthma/COPD, etc.] dermatology and metabolic disorders [Diabetes, Obesity, etc.]. The Company is in the process of creating marketing front-ends for the launch of its proprietary products in the future. Glenmark's first Asthma/COPD molecule, Oglemilast was licensed out to Forest Laboratories and Teijin Pharma Limited for the North American and Japanese markets, respectively, in two landmark deals. GRC 6211, molecule for pain and inflammatory disorders Release - Further clinical trials in Osteoarthritis pain suspended for GRC 6211 2 of 2 has been out-licensed to Eli Lilly & company. Glenmark's API and generics business interests span over the highly regulated markets of USA, Latin America and Europe, and are managed by its subsidiary Glenmark Generics Limited. For more information on GPL, log on to www.glenmarkpharma.com ***

For further information, please contact: Jason D'Souza / Medha Satam Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited Tel: [+91 22] 40189919 / 40189993 Email : [email protected]