Patented molecules clock a high growth rate in Indian cardiovascular market

Globally, the cardiovascular medicines market is highly generic, but in India, a handful of patented brands are among the fastest-growing molecules. The cardiovascular segment has been clocking a 15 per cent compound annual growth rate in the past ten years. Three patented molecules have been growing at a fast clip in the Indian market — Apixaban, the Sacubitril and Valsartan combination, and Rivaroxaban.

Novartis’ Vymada went from Rs 90 lakh in sales in March 2017, to Rs 123 crore in March 2020. Local players such as Lupin, Cipla, and Natco have launched the licensed versions of the drug. The earliest expiry patent is in 2023. Apixaban (brand name Eliquis) was launched by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in India in 2013. One of the patents expired in December 2019, and another one expires in September 2022. 

In January 2020, the Delhi High Court granted an injunction restraining domestic companies such as Cipla, Torrent, Emcure, and Alkem from launching their brands. Natco and Indoco attempted to launch in 2019, but pulled out as BMS filed for patent infringement. The case is pending before the appellate board. 

Recently, AstraZeneca’s Ticagrelor (brand name Brilinta) went off-patent, and over 15 generic players entered the market (by the end of 2019). Sun Pharma is the biggest player with its in-licensed brand Axcer (launched in 2015). The generic players have launched their brands at 50-70 per cent discount to Sun Pharma's brand.