Strides Pharma Science Limited , a global pharmaceutical company, has announced a significant partnership with Incepta Pharmaceuticals to enhance women's health access in Africa. This collaboration marks a major step forward in providing affordable and quality reproductive health solutions to underserved regions.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Strides will market the world's first WHO-prequalified generic version of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in Africa.
• The product, branded as Medogen SubQ, will be launched to expand access to safe and convenient contraceptive options.
• This partnership reinforces Strides' commitment to women's health as a strategic priority and its focus on impactful global collaborations.

Product Details and Significance

Medogen SubQ, developed by Incepta Pharmaceuticals, is a three-month contraceptive that can be administered by healthcare workers or self-injected after appropriate training. The WHO prequalification of this generic version is a breakthrough in reproductive health access, as it helps diversify the supply of DMPA-SC and potentially reduces procurement costs for health systems.

Impact on Women's Health

This initiative addresses a critical need in global women's health:

• Over 250 million women worldwide still lack access to modern contraception.
• The discretion, convenience, and empowerment potential of DMPA-SC make it a transformative choice for women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Strategic Implications for Strides

Executive Insights

Aditya Kumar, Executive Director of Business Development at Strides, emphasized the company's commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable, and high-quality contraceptive medicines. He stated, "We are very excited to partner with Incepta to make available a version of this easy-to-use, long-acting reversible contraceptive empowering women in the region to have greater control of their reproductive rights and choices."

This partnership between Strides Pharma Science and Incepta Pharmaceuticals represents a significant step towards improving reproductive health outcomes at scale in Africa. By bringing a WHO-prequalified generic contraceptive to the market, the companies aim to expand choices and access for women, enabling them to take greater control of their reproductive health.

As Strides continues to invest in partnerships that address pressing global health needs, this collaboration underscores the company's dedication to making a meaningful impact in women's health across underserved regions.

Strides Pharma Science has announced a strategic product development partnership with Kenox Pharmaceuticals Inc., aimed at expanding its nasal spray product range for the U.S. market. This collaboration marks a significant step in Strides' efforts to strengthen its presence in the American pharmaceutical landscape, particularly in the growing nasal spray segment.

Partnership Details

The agreement, signed by Strides Pharma Global Pte. Limited, Singapore, a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Strides, focuses on the development and filing of multiple nasal spray products across diverse therapeutic indications for the U.S. market. While specific product details remain confidential, the partnership leverages Kenox's expertise in Orally Inhaled and Nasal Drug Products (OINDPs) to complement Strides' manufacturing and market presence.

Strategic Significance

Aditya Kumar, Executive Director Business Development at Strides Pharma Science Limited, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "Nasal sprays have consistently been highlighted as a key focus area for Strides, and this collaboration further builds on the solid progress we have already made in this domain." He added that the partnership aligns well with Strides' ongoing investments in capabilities and capacities at their U.S. facility.

Expertise Synergy

The partnership brings together Strides' commercial strengths and Kenox's formulation and development expertise in the OINDP space. Dr. Sitaram Velaga, Founder, President and CEO of Kenox Pharmaceuticals Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting that it "validates our expertise in the OINDP space and will allow us to leverage our capabilities to bring important drug products to global patients at an affordable price."

Market Impact

This strategic move is expected to accelerate Strides' range of nasal spray offerings in the U.S. market. By combining Strides' commercial prowess with Kenox's specialized knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver affordable, high-quality therapies to patients, potentially expanding Strides' market share in the competitive U.S. pharmaceutical landscape.

About the Companies

Strides Pharma Science Ltd is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with a focus on "difficult to manufacture" products sold in over 100 countries. The company operates primarily in regulated markets and has manufacturing sites in India, Italy, Kenya, and the United States.

Kenox Pharmaceuticals Inc., established in 2018 and based in greater Princeton, NJ, specializes in pharmaceutical aerosol product development, including soft mist inhalers, dry powder inhalers, nebulizers, and nasal sprays.

As both companies look to capitalize on their respective strengths, this collaboration could potentially reshape the nasal spray market in the United States, offering new and innovative solutions to meet patient needs.