Sun Pharma and AstraZeneca in distribution partnership

Published: 14-Apr-2016

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will promote, market and distribute dapagliflozin in India under different brand names


Sun Pharmaceutical and AstraZeneca Pharma India have announced a partnership for the distribution of dapagliflozin in India. Dapagliflozin is AstraZeneca India’s leading type 2 diabetes medicine.

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will promote, market and distribute dapagliflozin in India under different brand names; Sun Pharma will use the brand name Oxra, while AstraZeneca will use the brand name Forxiga. AstraZeneca will retain the intellectual property rights to dapagliflozin.

Sun Pharma will also gain the rights to promote and distribute the combination of dapagliflozin with metformin under the brand name Oxramet, following regulatory approval. AstraZeneca India is currently seeking approval from the Drugs Controller General of India for the combination of dapagliflozin with metformin.

'This agreement for dapagliflozin further strengthens our partnership with AstraZeneca India,' said Abhay Gandhi, CEO, India Business, Sun Pharma. 'The addition of this innovative type 2 diabetes treatment bolsters our diabetes portfolio. We believe the extended portfolio will further enhance our service capabilities to offer customers and patients innovative medicines at affordable prices. Through this partnership with AstraZeneca, access to dapagliflozin will be enhanced for doctors and type 2 diabetes patients in India.'

Sanjay Murdeshwar, managing director, AstraZeneca India said: 'Dapagliflozin represents a significant advancement in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and this agreement supports our strategy of working with a local partner to maximise the value from our innovative medicines in a key emerging market. It ensures a greater number of patients will have access to this important treatment option.'

Diabetes is estimated to affect approximately 69.2 million people in India. Sun Pharma’s current diabetes portfolio is comprised of more than 40 speciality products with a market share of more than 8%. It has the potential to significantly expand patient access to dapagliflozin and the combination of dapagliflozin with metformin treatment in India.

AstraZeneca India has a broad non-insulin portfolio addressing type 2 diabetes and offers medicines in all the three novel and fast growing classes of type 2 diabetes treatments: Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists in India.

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