Mylan starts operating in India, with portfolio of ARVs

US generics and specialty drugmaker Mylan (Nasdaq: MYL) says that its India based subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals (formerly Matrix Laboratories of which it acquired a 71% stake for around $736 million in 2007), has started commercial operations in India, initially with the launch of a comprehensive portfolio of 18 antiretroviral (ARV) products for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. India is home to the world's third largest population of people with HIV/AIDS, with approximately 2.4 million people living with the disease, of which fewer than 20% have access to treatment, the company noted.

Mylan chief executive Heather Bresch commented: "Mylan's mission is to provide the world's 7 billion people with access to high quality medicine. Through the initial launch in India of a broad and innovative ARV portfolio, we are taking another significant stride towards meeting that goal. We believe that Mylan can set a new standard in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in India by providing health care providers and those living with the disease access to high quality, affordable medicines and by supporting physicians in their efforts to educate and treat their patients through our innovation, reliability and service excellence. We see significant growth potential in India, the world's second largest pharmaceutical market by volume, and look forward to continuing to expand our operations in India in additional therapeutic categories."

A decade of experience in ARVs