Ranbaxy Laboratories is launching an anti-infective drug cefprozil, an advanced cepholosporin, under the brand name Refzil O. This is the first time that the company is launching the drug in India.

Refzil O, claims the company, is an oral medication useful in combating different types of bacteria in surgical cases and respiratory-tract infections in adults and children.

The drug can be used in treatment of staphyloccal infections and will be an ideal follow-up therapy for patients after usage of injectable Refzil (a Ranbaxy product already in market).

The cephalosporin market in India is estimated around Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) for the year 2002 (1/3rd the anti-infectives market), and is growing at 9 per cent, more than double the growth rate of the anti-infectives market.

The global market for cefprozil is around $400 million and is among the top five selling cephalosporins out of more than 25 such molecules in this segment.

Malvinder Mohan Singh, regional director (India), Ranbaxy Laboratories, said: "The launch of Refzil O strengthens our position in the higher-end cephalosporins. The market for this product promises excellent potential and will help us in improving the market share in the cephalosporin segment and widen the product portfolio."

Ranbaxy is the country's largest pharmaceutical company. It manufactures and markets branded generic pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.