Cipla, leading drug maker, announced the launch of Serroflo, its Salmeterol/Fluticasone MDI, in Germany and Sweden. With this launch, Cipla opens the door for new, highly efficient treatments in the European healthcare market. Serroflo will substantially improve the affordability of fixed combinations in Europe and help manage health costs for respiratory treatment.

''With Serroflo we offer in Germany and Sweden an alternative which is effective and efficient and therefore brings many advantages into a market which suffers from limited resources,'' said Frank Pieters, head of Cipla Europe.

In Germany, the new product is distributed under the name 'Serroflo', whereas in Sweden the combination is launched as 'Salmeterol/Fluticasone Cipla'. Serroflo and Salmeterol/Fluticasone Cipla will be available in a pMDI with HFA propellant in two strengths- 120 doses of 25/125 mcg salmeterol/fluticasone and 120 doses of 25/250 mcg salmeterol/fluticasone.

Apart from Croatia where the combination is already available under the name Duohal, Germany and Sweden are amongst the first markets where Cipla is active and others will follow.

''Over the next 12-18 months we will see a series of launches throughout Europe as we know that there is a common need for high quality, affordable, reliable and thus sustainable therapy-alternatives - and this is what Cipla stands for,'' said Subhanu Saxena, managing director and global CEO of Cipla.

Shares of the company gained Rs 38.65, or 7.3%, to trade at Rs 568.35. The total volume of shares traded was 257,127 at the BSE (9.29 a.m., Tuesday).