China-based Luye Pharma Group has signed two contracts with partners in Latin America to help develop the central nervous system drugs Seroquel and Seroquel XR in local markets, it was reported on Friday.

Luye Pharma has offered promotional rights to CAP ALTER PHARMA INC for Seroquel products in nine countries, namely Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Aruba, Curacao, Bahamas, Bermuda and The Cayman Islands. The company has also signed a contract with existing partner Laboratorios Bago over packaging and the aim to phase in local production for Seroquel products in Argentina.

The products are atypical anti-psychotic medicines with antidepressant properties. Seroquel treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while Seroquel XR has approval in some markets to treat major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).