PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), Gurgaon, India, announced an agreement with Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC (Validus) to market and distribute an authorized generic version of Rocaltrol(R) (calcitriol) in both softgel capsules and an oral liquid formulation. Overall market sales for calcitriol softgel capsules and oral liquid were $70 million (IMS - MAT: June 2009).

Rocaltrol(R) is indicated in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with moderate to severe chronic renal failure not yet on dialysis, and in the management of hypocalcemia and the resultant metabolic bone disease in patients undergoing chronic renal dialysis. Rocaltrol(R) is also indicated in the management of hypocalcemia and its clinical manifestations in patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, and pseudohypo-parathyroidism.

"Ranbaxy was very pleased to be selected by Validus as their distribution partner for an authorized generic version of Rocaltrol(R). This product represents an excellent commercial opportunity for Ranbaxy which will increase our visibility and presence in the U.S. healthcare system. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Validus," said Jim Meehan, Vice President of Sales and Distribution for RPI.

Ranbaxy will launch product immediately to all classes of trade in the U.S. market, and expects to be the only generic company offering all forms and strengths of generic Rocaltrol(R).

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI) based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), India's largest pharmaceutical company. RPI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the U.S. healthcare system.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, headquartered in India, is an integrated, research based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. Ranbaxy's continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research. The Company's foray into Novel Drug Delivery Systems has led to proprietary "platform technologies", resulting in a number of products under development. The Company is serving its customers in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 49 countries and manufacturing operations in 11 countries. Ranbaxy is a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd.

Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC is focused on acquiring, developing and marketing effective, underutilized branded products in specialty therapeutic areas. During the past three years, the company has successfully acquired four products with specific therapeutic advantages that provide a current revenue stream. Validus seeks to acquire drug assets that are approved by the FDA and have well defined and accepted clinical utility relevant to today's practice of medicine. Validus is a portfolio company of Wood Creek Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor that is focused on alternative investments. For more information about Validus Pharmaceuticals, visit www.validuspharma.com.

    CONTACTS: Charles M. Caprariello
              Vice President, Corporate Communications
              Ranbaxy Inc.
              (609) 720-5615

              Edwige Buteau
              RF Binder Partners Inc.
              (212) 994-7517

              Andrea Pavone
              RF Binder Partners Inc.
              (212) 994-7568

SOURCE Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.