NeoBiocon partners Novartis to launch diabetes drugs in UAE

NeoBiocon, a collaboration between Biocon Ltd and BR Shetty led UAE-based Neopharma, has partnered with Novartis Middle East FZE to market diabetes drugs Jalra and Jalra-M in the UAE.
The partnership will help NeoBiocon expand its product offerings in the metabolics segment and will immensely benefit diabetics in UAE, Biocon Ltd today said in a statement.
NeoBiocon has received approvals from the Ministry of Health-UAE for marketing Jalra and Jalra-M in the country and the launch is scheduled for January 2016, it added.
"These products will be manufactured by Novartis in Europe and marketed and distributed by NeoBiocon in UAE after local release through Neopharma," the company said.

Novartis will, however, continue to market its brands Galvus and Galvusmet in the UAE.
"Biocon is committed to offer advanced therapies for diabetics the world over. We are indeed pleased to partner with Novartis to offer Jalra and Jalra-M to address the growing needs of type 2 diabetes patients in UAE," Biocon, CMD, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said.

Commenting on the partnership, Neopharma, Chairman, B R Shetty said Biocon's leadership in the diabetes segment will augur well for marketing these brands in UAE.
Vildagliptin (Jalra) is an oral anti-diabetic agent that delivers consistent and robust blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. A novel product, Vildagliptin is available both as monotherapy as well as in combination with metformin (Jalra-M).

NeoBiocon is amongst the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in UAE and is ranked among the top 25 pharma companies in the region.
Established in 2011, NeoBiocon markets its own brands in UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets in various therapies such as metabolics, oncology, asthma and allergic rhinitis, anti-infectives and others.
Together, Vildagliptin and Vildagliptin + Metformin
commands over 30% of the DPP-IV market in UAE.
NeoBiocon has received approvals from the Ministry of Health - UAE for marketing Jalra and Jalra-M in the country and the launch is scheduled for January 2016. These products will be manufactured by Novartis in Europe and marketed and distributed by NeoBiocon in UAE after local release through Neopharma.

Talking about the partnership, Dr. B. R. Shetty, Chairman, Neopharma, said: "We are delighted to extend our partnership with Novartis and Biocon for these novel products. Biocon's leadership in the diabetes segment will augur well for marketing these brands in UAE."
Commenting on the development, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon, said: "Biocon is committed to offer advanced therapies for diabetics the world over. We are indeed pleased to partner with Novartis to offer Jalra and Jalra-M to address the growing needs of type 2 diabetes patients in UAE."
The partnership between NeoBiocon and Novartis will benefit the large and increasing number of diabetics in the UAE. This will result in enhancing access to this novel oral hypoglycaemic agent by leveraging the huge marketing network of NeoBiocon and distribution network of NMC Healthcare.

Novartis will continue to market its brands Galvus & Galvusmet in the UAE.