Lupin and Boehringer Ingelheim to co-market diabetes drug in India

German pharma firm Boehringer Ingelheim and Lupin Limited have entered into a joint strategic alliance for co-marketing linagliptin, a novel dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor in India. Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the fastest growing multinational pharmaceutical company in India, has a strong presence in the DPP-4 inhibitors market in India which is growing at 27 percent (according to IMS MAT August 2015 data).
 
As per the agreement, Lupin will market and sell linagliptin under a separate brand name Ondero (monotherapy) and Ondero Met (fixed-dose combination with metformin) which will be promoted by Lupin’s 400 dedicated diabetes specialty field force. Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to sell its linagliptin under the brand names Trajenta (monotherapy) and TrajentaDuo (fixed-dose combination with metformin) through their existing sales force and network.
   
Shakti Chakraborty, group president, India Region Formulations, Lupin, said, “I believe our entry into the high growth DPP-4 inhibitor market with the launch of Ondero and Ondero Met will not only strengthen our diabetes portfolio but also help us consolidate our position as a market leader and the fastest growing player in the TOP 5 in the anti-diabetes segment.”
 
The Indian diabetes market, valued at Rs 7,655 crore, is growing at 19.57 percent. The total DPP-4 inhibitors market is valued at Rs 1,499 crore and growing at 26.55 percent. Lupin is among the fastest growing players in the oral anti-diabetes drugs (OAD) market and also in the insulin segment. Lupin’s anti-diabetic portfolio contributes 15 percent to its India formulations sales. Lupin is the fourth largest company in the anti-diabetes segment and currently has 6.44 percent market share of the overall diabetes market, according to IMS.
 
Ondero tablets (monotherapy) are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ondero Met tablets (fixed-dose combination therapy) are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both linagliptin and metformin is appropriate.
 
Sharad Tyagi, managing director, Boehringer Ingelheim India, commented, “We are pleased to partner with Lupin for the sales and promotion of linagliptin as Lupin has a strong play in the anti-diabetes segment with a robust product portfolio. The partnership is aligned with our commitment towards addressing challenges in treatment of chronic ailments like diabetes by providing broader access to innovative medicines. It is an ideal partnership where Boehringer Ingelheim brings the research and scientific excellence for linagliptin, and Lupin their marketing excellence and brand equity amongst key clinician categories to drive and facilitate product access. Boehringer Ingelheim India will continue to introduce innovative products to address the unmet patients’ needs amidst the growing Indian diabetes epidemic.”