Zydus Lifesciences has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Desidustat, a novel oral HIF-PHI, for the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). 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 2,00,000 people in the United States.

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.