Glenmark launches low-price Gliptin for diabetes patients

Glenmark's product costs Rs 19.90 per tablet compared with about Rs 45 for other gliptins

As part of its effort to expand its footprint as well as revenues in diabetes segment, Mumbai-based generics drug player Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited today announced the launch of generic Teneligliptin, a new third-generation oral anti-diabetic drug, at a substantially lower price compared to other Gliptins available in India.

Only 1.05 million out of the 65 million diabetic patients in India use Gliptins as they are relatively expensive costing Rs 15,000-Rs 16,000 a year of treatment while Glenmark thinks the lower price would encourage more patients to adopt this safer and effective treatment to manage Type-2 diabetes.

"Gliptins account for around 19 per cent, or Rs 1,200 crore of the Rs 6,600 crore diabetic market in India as they cost more. We have been able to reduce the price by 55 per cent as we have manufactured the product in India from an active pharmaceutical ingredient(API) synthesized by us," Sujesh Vasudevan, president and head-India Business of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said.

This product costs Rs 19.90 per tablet compared with about Rs 45 for other gliptins. Mitsubhishi Tabane Pharma Corporation is the innovator of the drug.

Diabetes contributed just Rs 100 crore to the overall revenues of Rs 6,600 crore for Glenmark last year. The company, a dominant player in dermatology products, is now planning to expand its product portfolio in other therapeutic areas, including diabetes.

Following the recent soft launch in Mumbai area the company has chosen Hyderabad, which is considered as the diabetes capital of India, for the formal launch of the molecule under two brands Ziten an Zita Plus.

Sujesh said a combination drug with Teneligliptin and Metformin was also in advanced phase of trials for the launch in India. Gliptins are a part of Dipeptidyc Peptidase-4 (DDP-4) class of drugs which are known for low side effects. All the existing Gliptins marketed in India are being imported, also a reason for being expensive, according to him.

India accounts for 26 per cent of the company's total revenues while the US comes on top with 31 per cent revenue contribution for the company.

Company bets big on US market

Responding to a question Sujesh Vasudevan said a major portion of Rs 600 crore investment this year would go into their plant in North Carolina, which will have facilities for oral solid dosages as well as for complex injectables.

The company has received 8 product approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) and is expecting another 4-6 approvals in the current financial year.