Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and AstraZeneca Pharma India  (AZPIL) have entered into a distribution services agreement in India for AstraZeneca’s brand “Axcer”, a new brand of ticagrelor, a drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AZPIL already has a brand under the trademark “Brilinta”, for ticagrelor molecule, launched and marketed by AZPIL in India since 2012.

Ticagrelor is a direct-acting, selective and reversibly binding P2Y12 receptor antagonist in a chemical class called cyclo-pentyl-triazolo-pyrimidines (CPTPs). Ticagrelor works by inhibiting platelet activation. Ticagrelor (90mg) is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events in patients with ACS (unstable angina [UA], non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). Ticagrelor has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of CV death, MI, or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, it also reduces the rate of stent thrombosis.

Abhay Gandhi, CEO - India Business, Sun Pharma said, “We are happy to collaborate with AstraZeneca to provide customers access to this latest generation treatment option for ACS. Such collaborations are also a part of our stated policy of becoming the partner of choice for promotion and distribution of innovative pharmaceutical products in the country.”

Sanjay Murdeshwar, managing director, AstraZeneca Pharma India said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Sun Pharmaceuticals to bring this innovative treatment solution to a larger number of ACS patients in India. Ticagrelor works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and maintains blood flow in the body, helping reduce a patient’s risk of another heart attack or cardiovascular-related death.”

Sun Pharma will be promoting and distributing “Axcer” brand in India. This collaboration enables AstraZeneca to expand usage of this molecule through wider reach to physicians and thereby benefiting a greater number of ACS patients. It strengthens Sun Pharma’s cardiology portfolio with the addition of a new patented therapy.