India, Aug. 18 -- Optimus Pharma, an arm of PE firm PAG-backed Sekhmet Pharmaventures, on Monday said it has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to manufacture and market tapinarof bulk drug and cream, used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. Optimus Pharma said it is the first company in India to receive permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market "tapinarof cream 1 per cent w/w" and the tapinarof bulk drug. Tapinarof cream 1 per cent w/w is a non-steroidal topical treatment for plaque psoriasis in adults, the company said in a statement.

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-communicable skin condition that the World Health Organization estimates affects at least 100...