Sun Pharma and Astra Zeneca to promote Dapagliflozin for anti-diabetes

Mumbai: An Anti Diabetes drug Dapagliflozin under the brand name Oxra is being promoted by Sun pharma and Astra Zeneca. Oxra is another feather in Sun Astra Alliance cap for its portfolio of existing innovative anti-diabetes products like Istavel and Istamet; the two are marketed as part of an alliance with Merck & Co. of US.

AstraZeneca markets its Dapagliflozin brand as Forxiga and is pitted against other global drug makers like Janssen that sells Invokana and Boehringer which last year launched Jardiance in the fast growing Indian market diabetes drugs.

According to Economic Times, a press release from Sun Pharma noted that the company would also be gaining the rights to promote and distribute the combination of Dapagliflozin with Metformin under the brand name "Oxramet", following regulatory approval.

"AstraZeneca India is currently seeking approval from the Drug Controller General of India for the combination of Dapagliflozin with Metformin," the statement added. Diabetes estimated to affect approximately 69.2 million people in India and more than 415 million people worldwide.

By 2040, this will rise to 642 million with Type 2 being the most common form of diabetes; Sun said quoting International Diabetes Federation,"The size of the overall Indian anti-diabetes market is more than Rs 8400 crore (includes Type 1 & 2), growing at approximately 21% annually although it is highly fragmented with approximately 50 active players."

Sun Pharma's current diabetes portfolio comprises of over 40 specialty products with a market share of more than 8%.The top 5 players, including Sun Pharma, cumulatively account for 50% of this market.It has the potential to significantly expand patient access to Dapagliflozin and the combination of Dapagliflozin with Metformin treatment in India.