German based pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim and Indian pharma Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the expansion of their partnership with plans to market two new oral anti-diabetics recently approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) – Gibtulio Met® (Empagliflozin + Metformin) and Ajaduo® (Empagliflozin + Linagliptin). Both these products belong to a novel class of oral anti-diabetic drugs patented in India and will be launched for the first time by an Indian company. The two products will be co-marketed simultaneously by Boehringer Ingelheim and Lupin across India under different brand names.
The Empagliflozin + Linagliptin combination is the world’s first approved combination of an SGLT-2 inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor. In addition to a strong effect on lowering blood sugar levels, it also addresses multiple pathophysiological defects in type 2 diabetes, and is a big step towards improved management of type 2 diabetes. It will also help in reducing the pill burden for patients and help improve adherence to the prescribed treatment.
The Empagliflozin + Metformin combination can be given to newly diagnosed patients at higher baseline HbA1c levels and would help manage cardiac complications in patients with type 2 diabetes with heart disease.
As per the International Diabetes Federation, India is home to 72.9 million adults aged between 20 and 79 years of age, ranking second behind China; and is poised to breach 150 million patients by 2045, by when India will overtake China. Fortunately, while the number of patients is increasing, so is the awareness among the public to address it. The Indian diabetes market is valued at INR 1,13,360 million and is growing at 11.7% (IMS MAT April 2018) with the oral anti-diabetic market being valued at INR 83,340 million and growing at 11.21% (IMS MAT April 2018).
Commenting on the expanded partnership, Sharad Tyagi, Managing Director – Boehringer Ingelheim India said, “We are pleased to expand this partnership and work closely with Lupin, to provide wider access and innovative solutions towards better diabetes management in India. With this, the medical fraternity and patients will now have access to one of the most comprehensive Diabetes portfolios in the country. As a dedicated organization to the field of diabetes, we aim to reinforce our commitment by continually exploring newer avenues to help reduce the diabetes burden in the country.”
According to Rajeev Sibal, President – India Region Formulations, Lupin, “We are excited about the expansion of our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim and our combined contribution to combating the increasing incidence of Diabetes in India. The introduction of these two new oral anti-diabetics to the market will strengthen our anti-diabetes portfolio and will contribute immensely to our position as a leading player in the Indian pharmaceutical market.”
Lupin’s India business grew to INR 44,129 Mn, and is the 5th largest pharmaceutical company by sales in the Indian Pharmaceutical Market, with a focus on its top three therapies areas of Cardiac, Anti-Diabetes and Respiratory. Lupin is the fastest growing company amongst leading majors in the Anti-Diabetes market and on a month basis is ranked as the 3rd largest company in the Indian Diabetes market as per IQVIA. The sales of Lupin’s Diabetes portfolio grew to INR 8,430 Mn at a growth rate of 24% YOY which is more than twice that of the market growth rate.
