Date:22/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/22/stories/2005082202490100.htm

Back J&J to hold trials for new drug

Nithya Subramanian

New Delhi , Aug. 21

JOHNSON & Johnson (J&J) is planning to conduct clinical trials of its new dapoxetine hydrochloride, a treatment for premature ejaculation, in India. Health Ministry officials said that the permission was granted last month to the company.

J&J has submitted the drug for approval to the US Food and Drug Administration and is optimistic with the trial reports from the US. According to international reports, if dapoxetine enters the market in early 2006, it will total $160 million in sales that year and will hit $500 million in sales in 2007. The patent for dapoxetine was originally held by Eli Lilly and was bought by PPD, Inc (a research organisation) in 2003. PPD then licensed the drug to ALZA Corp, a subsidiary of J&J.