Ranbaxy launches herpes drug in the U.S. -spox

NEW DELHI Nov 27 (Reuters) - Ranbaxy Laboratories (RANB.BO), India's top drug maker by sales, has launched a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK.L) Valtrex in the United States with a 180-day marketing exclusivity, a company spokesman said on Friday.

Ranbaxy launched 500 mg and 1 gram tablets of the drug, used to treat herpes infections, on Wednesday, he said.

In 2007, Ranbaxy had settled a patent dispute with GlaxoSmithKline for the drug. (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy) ((devidutta.tripathy@thomsonreuters.com; +91 98187 86430; Reuters Messaging: devidutta.tripathy.reuters.com@reuters.net)) ((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))