Lupin and Boehringer Ingelheim ink co-marketing pact for diabetes drug empagliflozin

Lupin Limited and Boehringer Ingelheim have entered into their second strategic alliance to co-market empagliflozin, a novel sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, in India. Two companies had earlier signed a partnership for co-marketing linagliptin in October 2015. 

The inclusion of empagliflozin is a significant addition to the partnership. SGLT-2 inhibitors are a novel class of drugs that were launched across the world in the last couple of years. According to the agreement, Lupin will market and sell empagliflozin under a separate brand name Gibtulio which will be promoted by its specialty field force. Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to sell empagliflozin under the brand name Jardiance through its existing sales force and network.

Empagliflozin tablet is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

The Indian diabetes market is valued at Rs 9,003 crore, growing at 19.5 percent, according to IMS MAT July 2016. The market has been driven largely by the entry of newer drugs like DPP-4 inhibitors over the last 6 years and the SGLT-2 inhibitors are expected to outgrow & outpace the market faster than before. 

The market for SGLT-2 inhibitors, first introduced in India in March 2015, is valued at Rs 113 crore and growing at 880 percent. India is known as the diabetes capital of the world with 69 million people being diabetic – 5 percent of the country’s population and an estimated 1.02 million deaths are caused due to high blood sugar in India. Type 2 diabetes is expected to increase to 87 million by 2030.

Lupin is the fourth largest company in the anti-diabetes segment with 6.7 percent market share of the overall diabetes market. It also has the distinction of being the only company in the anti-diabetes market with a contemporary portfolio comprising of oral anti-diabetes drugs (OAD) and injectable drugs like conventional insulin and insulin analogues. The company’s anti-diabetic portfolio contributes 11 percent to its India formulations sales.

“We are happy to expand our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to combat the growing menace of diabetes in India. I believe our entry into the fast growth SGLT-2 Inhibitors market with the launch of Gibtulio will further strengthen our overall diabetes portfolio and consolidate our position as a market leader and the fastest growing player in the TOP 5 in the anti-diabetes segment within the Indian pharmaceutical market,” said Shakti Chakraborty, group president, India region formulations, Lupin.

Sharad Tyagi, managing director, Boehringer Ingelheim India, added, “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Lupin for the sales and promotion of empagliflozin. This partnership shows our commitment towards addressing challenges in diabetes management in India by providing broader access to innovative medicine.”