Glenmark gets US nod for steroid skin cream

MUMBAI, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GLEN.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday its generics unit has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale of betamethasone dipropionate skin cream in the U.S.

The drug, a generic form of Schering-Plough's SGP.N Diprolene AF cream, is a corticosteroid used to treat swelling, itching and allergic reactions.

It is the eighth steroidal skin product in the company's portfolio targeting an overall segment value of $60 million, the drugmaker said in a statement.

Glenmark has over 35 abbreviated new drug applications pending approval with the US FDA, of which a fifth fall within the dermatology segment.

Shares in the company were up 1.98 percent at 594.20 rupees in a weak Mumbai market. (Reporting by Swati Pandey; Editing by Ramya Venugopal)