Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has now introduced its new third generation oral anti diabetic agent Teneligliptin for type-2 diabetes  in India at an affordable price of Rs. 19.90 per tablet. The molecule gliptin comes under the category of DPP-4 inhibitors, which is backed by scientific data as being safe, well tolerated, weight neutral with low risk of hypoglycemia.

The first pan India launch of Teneligliptin under two brands: Ziten and Zita Plus took place in Bengaluru where the company is viewing to garner a market share from the 26.5 per cent of diabetic patients in the city.

The big take-way of Teneligliptin is its high efficacy and affordability which is set to transform the diabetic treatment in the country. “The drug has gone through a 24-month multi-centric double blind placebo study at 36 centres which included government hospitals in the country on 237 patients. The Drugs Controller of General of India (DCGI) clearance came in May,” said Sujesh Vasudevan, president, & head, India formulation and MENA markets, Glenmark at press conclave here.

“The once-a-day Teneligliptin is only for India which is priced 55 per cent lower than other gliptins that cost around Rs. 45 per day treatment and we intend to provide this to growing 65.1 million diabetics in the country where only 1.9 million have access to treatment. Total number of patients on gliptins therapy in India is 5 per cent of the 65.1 million patients. Monthly Teneligliptin treatment is Rs. 617 compared to Rs. 1,395 of other gliptins. In fact Teneligliptin will translate into a saving of Rs. 9,000 per year for patients who are prescribed. Therefore by offering it at this price, we are now educating the doctors on the dual benefits of efficacy and affordability,” he added.

The company’s Teneligliptin is the only gliptins manufactured in the country from active pharmaceutical ingredients to formulation stage. While the former is produced at its facility at Ankleshwar, the latter is manufactured at Sikkim. All other gliptins in the country: Januvia, Istavel, Vysov, Trajenta, Galvus, Jalra, Zomelis and Onglyza are presently being imported.

For the Rs. 6,644 crore Glenmark, which is present in therapy areas of dermatology, cardiovascular and COPD, the diabetic portfolio is valued at Rs. 100 crore.

The value of the diabetic drug market in India is Rs. 6610 crore with gliptins and DPP4 inhibitors account for 19 per cent of the share which is valued at Rs. 1,258 crore.