Sun Pharma, AstraZeneca seal distribution deal for heart drug

Axcer is used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome

Drug majors Sun Pharmaceutical and AstraZeneca Pharma India (AZPIL) today said they have entered into a distribution services agreement to distribute AstraZeneca's heart disease treatment drug 'Axcer' in India.

"AZPIL and Sun Pharma have entered into a distribution services agreement in India for AstraZeneca's brand 'Axcer', a new brand of ticagrelor," Sun Pharma said in a BSE filing.

The company added that AZPIL already has a brand 'Brilinta' for ticagrelor molecule in India since 2012. Axcer is a drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Sanjay Murdeshwar, MD, AstraZeneca Pharma India, said: "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."

The company further said: "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."

The Sun Pharma stock was trading at Rs 872 in the morning trade, down 0.79% from its previous close on BSE.