Zydus Lifesciences has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from USFDA for Desidustat, a novel oral HIF-PHI, for the treatment of beta-thalassemia. The USFDA's Office of Orphan Drug Products grants orphan status to support development of medicines for the treatment of rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. 

Beta thalassaemia patients have low levels of haemoglobin, which results in a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body, leading to weakness, fatigue and more serious complications. Treatment for people with beta thalassaemia often requires lifelong regimens of chronic blood transfusions for survival and treatment for iron overload due to the transfusions. 

Desidustat is a hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (PHI) and has the potential to increase haemoglobin and red blood cell counts. Research in beta-thalassaemic mice showed that desidustat treatment led to an increase in haemoglobin and red blood cell (RBC) levels. Orphan drug designation by the USFDA for Desidustat, provides eligibility for certain development incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, prescription drug user fee exemptions and a potential seven-year marketing exclusivity upon the USFDA approval.

Zydus Lifesciences (formerly known as Cadila Healthcare), a company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in India, operates as an integrated pharmaceutical company with business encompassing the entire value chain in the research, development, production, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products.