Ahmedabad, May 5 (IANS) City-based Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (IBPL) has inked a pact with Canada’s Apotex Inc for co-development and supply of its filgrastim brand, Neukine, in North America. Both Apotex and IBPL jointly plan to launch Neukine in the US market.

“This deal brings together two companies having respective expertise in niche areas of operations. IBPL considers North America and Europe as ideal markets for developing innovative research technologies,” a company statement said Monday quoting IBPL executive director Mani Iyer.

The deal offers immense growth opportunities for Apotex and IBPL to consolidate its presence in global biogenerics market, Iyer said. Neukine is the first drug introduced by IBPL in India and subsequently erykine, intalfa and neupeg in the domestic market and few foreign markets.