Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and MSD, a trade name of Merck & Co, Inc., have announced formation of an India-specific strategic partnership agreement under which Sun Pharma will have the right to market, promote and distribute MSD's diabetes products, sitagliptin and sitagliptin plus metformin, under different brand names in India.
Talking about Sun Pharma’s contribution towards the partnership, Kalyanasundaram, CEO, Sun Pharma said, "Sun Pharma is a leader in India across various chronic therapeutic segments including diabetes. We have proven experience in scientific communication to promote products of high therapeutic relevance and benefits to the patients. Sun Pharma enjoys a strong relationship with the physician community such as diabetologists, endocrinologists and consulting physicians treating patients with diabetes across India. Through this partnership, the reach of sitagliptin and sitagliptin plus metformin will be enhanced amongst doctors & patients in India, helping them efficaciously manage the disease."
Announcing the partnership, K G Ananthakrishnan, managing director, MSD in India said, "MSD is proud to have entered into a strategic, India-specific partnership with Sun Pharma. The partnership is focused on increasing the market access of sitagliptin & sitagliptin plus metformin in India, which is an urgent need, given the high disease burden of type 2 diabetes in India and the role of these drugs in helping to address the same. Both partners complement each other's strengths in this arrangement. While MSD in India brings the scientific excellence and market success of the compound to the partnership, Sun Pharma brings its proven success and expertise in the marketing of drugs in the relevant therapeutic areas across India. This is yet another testimonial to MSD's commitment towards the patients of India and towards addressing high disease burdens of chronic diseases like type 2 Diabetes, while providing broader access of our first in class and best in class drugs in the country."
MSD operates in India through three separate legal entities MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Organon India Limited and Fulford India Limited, which are subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc. USA. Since its existence in India, the company has moved quickly in laying the foundation for a business that is differentiated by its focus through launching innovative products relevant to India.
MSD in India currently operates in various therapeutic areas including metabolics, cardiovascular, vaccines, critical care, immunology, virology, oncology, women's health, dermatology, respiratory, virology, musculotology and primary care. Post-operational integration between the legacy companies, the new MSD in India offers a stronger and diversified product portfolio of over 75 brands in various therapeutic areas, of which 13 are already category leading products.