Mumbai, Sep 23 (IANS): Pharmaceutical major Lupin has signed an agreement with US-based Onset Dermatologics under which it will market the latter's skin disease treatment medicine Locoid Lotion in the American market.

Lupin's US subsidiary, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc, has signed the strategic co-promotion agreement with Onset Dermatologics, which allows Lupin exclusive rights to promote Onset's Locoid Lotion (hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1 percent) to paediatricians in the US, the company said in a statement Monday.

Locoid is the most highly prescribed mid-potency steroid brand in the US. The medicine is a corticosteroid indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in patients 3 months of age and older.

AD is one of the most common skin disorders in young children and has a prevalence of 10 per cent to 20 per cent in the first decade of life.

It is a chronic illness that requires a multi-faceted treatment strategy in the setting of limited therapeutic options.

Quoting National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Lupin said AD, more commonly called eczema, affects 10 to 20 per cent of children in the US and direct health-care costs exceed $3 billion.

"We are very pleased with the addition of Locoid Lotion to our Brand portfolio and are committed to bring meaningful products to the US paediatric community," said Vinita Gupta, CEO, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Lupin's paediatric portfolio consists of Suprax and Alinia for oral suspension.