Daiichi Sankyo subsidiary Ranbaxy Laboratories says it will launch its generic version of Pfizer's blockbuster cholesterol-lowerer Lipitor in the USA as planned on November 30.
The company's chairman Tsutomo Une confirmed the scheduled launch date in an interview with the Japanese Nikkei newspaper, in which he refuted speculation that Ranbaxy would cede control of its six-month exclusivity period for generic Lipitor (atorvastastin), which was agreed with Pfizer in 2008.
There had been suggestions that US Food and Drug Administration investigations into quality standards at Ranbaxy's manufacturing facilities could result in it being unable to introduce the generic on schedule.
