 "Image courtesy: Lupin Ltd")
Lupin and Eli Lilly have expanded partnership in India with the Mumbai-based pharma company launching diabetes drug Eglucent, a new brand of Lilly’s rapid-acting insulin analog Lispro, in the country.
As per the agreement, Lupin will market and sell Eglucent through its own specialty field force while Eli Lilly will be responsible for manufacturing and import. Lilly will continue to sell Lispro under the brand name Humalog through its existing channels. Lupin had earlier collaborated with Lilly (July 2011) to promote and distribute Lilly’s Huminsulin range of products in India and Nepal.
“We have been very pleased with our partnership with Lupin and are happy to see it grow with the launch of Eglucent. The intent of this launch, which is the first for Lilly in the entire emerging markets region, is to increase the reach of analog insulin Lispro to more patients and healthcare professionals. We believe this is a big step in our journey to help fight the rising disease burden in India,” said Edgard Olaizola, managing director, Lilly India.
Eglucent is indicated for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. It is an injectable medication designed to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Eglucent will be available in the Indian market in both, the cartridge and disposable pen form.
Lupin is the fifth largest company in the anti-diabetes segment with a market share of 6.34 percent growing at 18 percent, according to IMS MAT September 2016. The company 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 and analog insulins. Lupin’s anti-diabetic portfolio contributes 16 percent to its India formulations sales (FY 2016).
The Indian diabetes market is valued at Rs 9,272 crore and is growing at 19 percent, according to IMS MAT September 2016. The total insulin market is valued at Rs 2,207 crore, out of which the insulin analogue market size is valued at Rs 1,106 crore with a 3 year CAGR of 28 percent. The total insulin Lispro molecule market size is Rs 142 crore with a 3 year CAGR of 24 percent, as per the IMS MAT September 2016.
Shakti Chakraborty, group president, India Region Formulations, Lupin, added, “We are excited about expanding our partnership with Eli Lilly with the launch of Eglucent and the progress that we together have made to combat the rising incidence of diabetes in India. Our entry into the rapid-acting insulin analog segment will not only bolster our existing diabetes portfolio but will also go a long way in strengthening our position in the Indian pharmaceutical market.”
