Ranbaxy Laboratories, one of the leading pharma players, today announced that it has received the regulatory approval to launch India's first NCE (New Chemical Entity), Synriam (arterolane maleate 150 mg + piperaquine phosphate 750 mg drug) in seven African countries viz. Nigeria, Uganda, Senegal, Cameroon Guinea, Kenya and Ivory Coast.

The product has since been launched in Uganda and will be made available in other countries towards end of January 2015. The new drug conforms to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for using combination therapy in malaria. Synriam provides quick relief from most malaria-related symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95%.

Shares of the company gained Rs 0.8, or 0.12%, to trade at Rs 643.90. The total volume of shares traded was 71,812 at the BSE (2.34 p.m., Monday).