Piramal Enterprises said on Tuesday one of its partners for global business, Slate Run Pharmaceuticals, had launched generic versions of Cinacalcet hydrochloride tablets in the US in three dosage strengths. The drug, which has a market size of $1.7 billion, is used for treatment of chronic kidney disease. The launch comes at a time when US-based Amgen has challenged Piramal’s licence to make a bio-equivalent version of the drug.

This is the first major launch by Piramal Pharma Solutions through a partner. "We are working with global firms to co-develop products, where our R&D competencies can bring about a cost-effective value proposition for the global health care system," said Vivek Sharma, CEO, Piramal Pharma Solutions.