Eli Lilly plans to launch new medication for diabetes in India

US pharma major Eli Lilly plans to launch a new medication by the end of this year to enhance its diabetes treatment portfolio in India.
The company has already received regulatory approval for the upcoming product, while it is also gearing up to introduce another medication in oncology that could be launched by end of 2016 or early 2017.
"We are planning to introduce a new medication later this year in diabetes. We have received approvals for the same," Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd Managing Director Edgard A Olaizola told PTI.
For Eli Lilly in India, diabetes is the primary segment for the company with "around 60 to 70 per cent of our revenues in India coming from diabetes followed by oncology and the osteoporosis," Olaizola said.

The company sells a range of medicines and drug delivery devices in the diabetes segment. Last year, it had introduced Savvio, an insulin delivery device in India.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 3rd National NCD Summit 2015 organised here, Olaizola said the company is also planning to introduce another medication in oncology that could be launched by end of 2016 or early 2017.

"It has been filed for regulatory approvals," he said.
Commenting on the significance of the Indian market for Eli Lilly, he added: "India is a very important market for the company in Asia."
The biggest market for the company globally are the US, Europe as a region and Japan, he added.

On being asked about the Lilly NCD Partnership, Olaizola said, "The Lilly NCD Partnership is our response to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It is a five year project in four countries -- India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa with a commitment of USD 30 million over five years."
Two pilot cities for NCD Partnership in India are Vizag and Sonipat, he added.