MSD, a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc. and Cipla have entered into an India specific strategic partnership. Under the partnership, Cipla will have a non-exclusive license to market, promote and distribute MSD’s raltegravir 400mg tablet, under a different brand name in India.

With its history of over 75 years, Cipla has a formidable operation reaching the far corners of the country and therefore is well placed to ensure this key medication reaches the patients who need it. Access to treatment and patient centric approach are cornerstone to this partnership, with this model both companies expect to broaden reach of raltegravir in private and public markets in India. Access to raltegravir is important for patients who require it as part of third line salvage regimen where there are few options left.

Identifying this significant disease burden challenge and the need for newer innovative therapies, this partnership is built on a patient centric model, which will help all eligible needy patients’ access raltegravir molecule for benefit of their ongoing treatment regimen. MSD operates its human health business in India through three separate legal entities: MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Organon (India) Private Ltd., and Fulford (India) Limited, which are subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey,  USA.

Announcing the partnership, K G Ananthakrishnan, managing director, MSD in India said, “MSD is committed to developing innovative therapies that offer advances in the treatment of infectious diseases – including HIV. MSD's efforts to develop treatments for HIV/AIDS have been under way for more than 20 years and continue today. We are proud to have entered into a strategic, India-specific partnership with Cipla. This partnership is aligned with our commitment towards patients in India and also addressing treatment challenges for high risk patients by providing broader access to our innovative medicines and vaccines. It is a complementary partnership as MSD brings the research and scientific excellence for raltegravir, and Cipla brings their marketing excellence, significant reach among key clinician categories to drive product access. MSD and Cipla both share the same commitment of providing broader access to HIV treatment.”

“This partnership reinforces Cipla’s ongoing commitment to HIV/AIDS treatment making life-saving drugs accessible. raltegravir, a third line therapy treatment will be a value addition to Cipla’s portfolio of HIV/AIDS treatment, especially for those patients who are resistant to the 1st and 2nd line therapy treatment, said  Dr Jaideep Gogtay, chief medical officer, Cipla.

Cipla’s HIV/AIDS medications, including the innovative triple cocktail drug has been available for patients for over a decade now. Cipla has been instrumental in physician and patient education and also instrumental in changing the perception of people about HIV being a fatal disease to a chronic infection. Since Cipla has such an extensive marketing and sales operation in India, the company will ensure that this vital treatment reaches those patients who are in need. In this way, Cipla will fulfill its promise of access in terms of geographical areas. We anticipate this drug being available to patients from middle of this year.”

Subhanu Saxena, MD and Global CEO, Cipla said “With Cipla’s strength in India, South Africa and other emerging markets, we have long been the pharmaceutical company serving patients who most need access to affordable medicines. By entering into this marketing partnership with MSD, Cipla is demonstrating its commitment to working with partners globally who share the same pro access philosophy of Cipla. We want to ensure that all patients, particularly in developing countries, get access to the most innovative, breakthrough medicines available. We look forward to more such collaborations ensuring lifesaving drugs like raltegravir reach the patients in need.”

The total number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in India is estimated at around 20.9 lakh in 2011. Children less than 15 years of age account for 7 per cent (1.45 lakh) of all infections; while 86 per cent are in the age-group of 15-49 years. Of all HIV infections, 39 per cent (8.16 lakh) are among women.1 Using globally accepted methodologies and updated evidence on survival to HIV with and without treatment, it is estimated that about 1.48 lakh people died of AIDS related causes in 2011 in India.

Deaths among HIV infected children account for 7 per cent of all AIDS-related deaths. Wider access to ART has led to 29 per cent reduction in estimated annual AIDS-related deaths during NACPIII period (2007-2011).

Isentress is Merck's integrase inhibitor for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult patients as part of combination HIV therapy. Isentress works by inhibiting the insertion of HIV-1 DNA into human DNA by the integrase enzyme and has demonstrated rapid antiviral activity. Inhibiting integrase from performing this essential function limits the ability of the virus to replicate and infect new cells. Isentress (raltegravir) is now approved in combination therapy in more than 76 countries for use in treatment-naïve adult patients with HIV-1 and in more than 114 countries for use in treatment-experienced adult patients with HIV-1.