Panacea Biotec launches diabetes drug teneligliptin

Panacea Biotec has launched indigenously developed antidiabetic drug, Tenepan (teneligliptin), for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. “Tenepan (teneligliptin) aims to improve accessibility of this treatment for the benefit of patients at an affordable cost as part of our commitment to Government of India’s Make in India mission,” said Panacea Biotec in a press release.
 
Teneligliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, is recommended to use in newly diagnosed patients and as an add-on therapy in patients uncontrolled on metformin or sulfonylurea therapy.
 
In diabetes, a significant number of patients do not achieve near-normal glucose levels with one or two drugs (sulfonylurea and metformin alone or in combination). In such cases drugs with different actions have been used to attack the ‘internal defects’ of diabetes at multiple points to control blood glucose levels. When diabetes is not in control despite of one drug or combination therapy, it is most essential to treat patients with DPP-4 inhibitor like teneligliptin. Studies have confirmed that teneligliptin is effective and safe when added to metformin or other anti-diabetic agents in combination therapy to control glocuse levels and reduce HbA1c levels.
 
Panacea Biotec already has presence in the diabetes market through its Diacar Alpha business team and markets gliclazide (a sulpnylurea therapy) under the brands Glizid, Glizid MR and Glizid M OD. Addition of teneligliptin will enhance Panacea Biotec’s anti-diabetic offerings.
 
“With the launch of Tenepan (teneligliptin), we intend to reach out to the patients with the latest therapeutic treatment for diabetes via 38,000 doctors and achieve our goal to become the leading company in our diabetes operating markets,” said Dr Rajesh Jain, joint managing director, Panacea Biotec Ltd.