AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. have entered into a distribution agreement for Riax, a new brand of saxagliptin and Riax-M a fixed dose combination of saxagliptin with metformin.

Both Riax and Riax M are trademarks of the AstraZeneca group. AZPIL already has two brands under the trademark Onglyza and Kombiglyze for saxagliptin and in fixed dose combination with metformin respectively, promoted and distributed in the Indian market.

Onglyza or saxagliptin AstraZeneca’s patented therapy, is an oral hypoglycemic which is an anti-diabetic therapy in the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor class of drugs indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings.

Sanjay Murdeshwar, managing director, AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited commenting on the partnership said, “Diabetes is a disease of epidemic scale in India with over 65 million affected people. We at AstraZeneca are committed to transform patient care in diabetes by offering innovative treatment options across the spectrum. This partnership reflects our constant endeavor to enhance patient’s access to novel treatment solutions like saxagliptin”

 “We are committed to addressing unmet needs of diabetes patients in India and are pleased to partner with AstraZeneca in launching saxagliptin and its combination with metformin, an important addition to our diabetes franchise. This will expand access to innovative medicines to vast number of diabetes patients in India, said Alok Sonig, senior vice president and head of India business, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories will be distributing Riax and Riax M in India. This partnership strengthens the company’s diabetes franchise in India. It enables AstraZeneca to expand usage of this molecule through wider reach to physicians and benefiting more number of diabetic patients.