Granules Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of Granules lndia, has launched the generic version of Methylergonovine Maleate Tablets, USP, 0.2mg, the generic equivalent to Methergine in partnership with West Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp. (West-Ward), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma).

Methylergonovine is a semi-synthetic ergot alkaloid used for the prevention and control of postpartum haemorrhage.

''This is the first product we have commercialized from our R&D and manufacturing facility in Virginia and we are happy to have collaborated with Hikma . Apart from the fact that Hikma has a proven history of being a responsible player in the market, we look at this launch as the inception towards building a strategic relationship. The launch of generic Methergine tablets plays into our strategy of identifying patient needs and catering to them with economical alternatives,'' said Priyanka Chigurupati, Executive Director, Granules Pharmaceuticals, lnc.

Shares of the company gained Rs 0.5, or 0.63%, to trade at Rs 80.20. The total volume of shares traded was 47,987 at the BSE (9.51 a.m., Thursday).