India’s well-reputed pharmaceutical firm, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharma has informed that the company has entered into a collaboration agreement with Japan based Astellas Pharma Inc. for exclusive rights for the latter's Injectable anti-fungal agent Micafungin (brand name Mycamine) in the Indian market.

Micafungin, an original research product of Astellas, belongs to a new class of anti-fungal agents that work against deep seated Candida infections. It was initially approved by Japanese Agency in 2002, by the USFDA in 2005 followed by other countries.

In January 2008, the USFDA also granted approval for the use of Micafungin in the treatment of patients with Candidemia, Acute Disseminated Candidiasis, Candida Peritonitis and Abscesses.

The agreement is in line with the company's strategy to partner with global pharmaceutical companies for licensing in important molecules.
GlaxoSmithKline Pharma is a 49% subsidiary of UK drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc.