Boehringer Ingelheim and Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the expansion of their partnership with plans to market two new oral anti-diabetics Gibtulio Met® (Empagliflozin + Metformin) and Ajaduo® (Empagliflozin + Linagliptin) which are recently approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)
Both these products belong to a novel class of oral anti-diabetic drugs patented in India and will be launched for the first time by an Indian company. The two products will be co-marketed simultaneously by Boehringer Ingelheim and Lupin across India under different brand names.
The Empagliflozin + Linagliptin combination is the world’s first approved combination of an SGLT-2 inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor. In addition to a strong effect on lowering blood sugar levels, it also addresses multiple pathophysiological defects in type 2 diabetes and is a big step towards improved management of type 2 diabetes. It will also help in reducing the pill burden for patients and help improve adherence to the prescribed treatment.
The Empagliflozin + Metformin combination can be given to newly diagnosed patients at higher baseline HbA1c levels and would help manage cardiac complications in patients with type 2 diabetes with heart disease.
Lupin’s India business grew to INR 44,129 Mn, and is the 5th largest pharmaceutical company by sales in the Indian Pharmaceutical Market, with a focus on its top three therapies areas of Cardiac, Anti-Diabetes and Respiratory.
Lupin is the fastest growing company amongst leading majors in the Anti-Diabetes market and on a monthly basis is ranked as the 3rd largest company in the Indian Diabetes market as per IQVIA.
The sales of Lupin’s Diabetes portfolio grew to INR 8,430 Mn at a growth rate of 24% YOY which is more than twice that of the market growth rate.
