AstraZeneca Pharma India & Sun Pharma Forge Second Brand Partnership for Hyperkalaemia Treatment

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited have entered into their second brand partnership, focusing on the co-promotion, marketing, and distribution of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) in India. SZC is an innovative and effective treatment for Hyperkalaemia, a condition characterized by abnormally high potassium levels in the blood. This strategic alliance aims to ensure broader access to this vital therapy for patients across the country.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca Pharma India will market SZC under the brand name Lokelma, while Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will promote and distribute it under the brand name Gimliand. AstraZeneca will continue to hold the intellectual property rights for SZC, along with its Marketing Authorisation and import license. This partnership leverages Sun Pharma's extensive market presence and AstraZeneca's innovative treatment.

"This partnership with Sun Pharma for SZC reaffirms AstraZeneca's purpose to deliver innovative, life-changing medicines to patients with Hyperkalaemia across India," said Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President & Managing Director, AstraZeneca Pharma India. Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, added, “The addition of SZC to our portfolio underscores our unwavering commitment to improving the care of patients with chronic kidney disease.”

Hyperkalaemia is particularly prevalent in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Heart Failure (HF), often affecting those on Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor therapy. Managing Hyperkalaemia is crucial as it can lead to the reduction or discontinuation of essential RAAS inhibitor therapy, potentially compromising patient outcomes.

Impact:

This collaboration is expected to significantly boost the market reach of SZC in India, leading to increased sales for both companies in their respective portfolios. It also signifies a growing trend of strategic partnerships in the Indian pharmaceutical sector to address unmet medical needs and improve patient access to advanced treatments. The partnership directly impacts the market for treatments related to kidney disease and heart conditions.

Impact Rating: 6/10

Difficult Terms:

Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC): A medicine designed to bind and remove excess potassium from the body, helping to treat Hyperkalaemia.

Hyperkalaemia: A medical condition where potassium levels in the blood are dangerously high.

Promote, market and distribute: These are key business activities that involve advertising and increasing awareness (promote), selling the product (market), and ensuring the product reaches customers through supply chains (distribute).

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Legal rights that grant the creator of an original work exclusive rights to use and distribute it, preventing others from copying or using it without permission.

Marketing Authorisation: The official approval from a regulatory body, like India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), that allows a pharmaceutical company to sell a specific drug in the country.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly, affecting their ability to filter waste and fluid from the blood.

Heart Failure (HF): A chronic condition where the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.

Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor therapy: A class of medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, which can sometimes cause potassium levels to rise.