India's Ranbaxy to launch generic Rocaltrol in U.S.

BANGALORE, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Indian drugmaker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (RANB.BO) said on Thursday it would launch in the United States a generic version of Rocaltrol used in the treatment of ailments arising from renal failure. Ranbaxy will market the drug, which has annual sales worth $70 million, in an agreement with Validus Pharmaceuticals, a U.S.-based company focused on acquiring and marketing prescription drugs.

Ranbaxy, in which Japan's Daiichi Sankyo (4568.T) bought about 64 percent last year, said in a statement it would launch the drug immediately and expected to be the only firm offering the generic version of Rocaltrol. (Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee)