Zydus and Lupin sign licensing agreement for co-marketing drug to treat chronic liver diseases in India

financialexpress.com:

Zydus Lifesciences Limited on Friday announced that they have entered into a licensing and supply agreement to co-market, Saroglitazar Mg for the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH) in India.

With a once-daily, 4mg dose regimen, Saroglitazar Mg enables better compliance, reduces pill burden, and offers greater convenience for patients, the company claims.

“Under the terms of this agreement, Lupin will have semi-exclusive rights to co-market the product in India under the brand name LINVAS. Zydus launched the drug under the brand names Lipaglyn and Bilypsa and will continue to market them. Lupin will pay Zydus upfront licensing fees and milestone payments based on the achievement of pre-defined milestones,” the company said in a statement.

In India, NAFLD is not only a concern for obese or patients with Diabetes Mellitus, but it has also been observed that NAFLD can develop in the absence of obesity, which is termed NAFLD. The number of NAFLD/NASH patients has significantly increased due to the growth in obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses.

“Our life changing discoveries are empowering patients, enabling them to live healthier and more fulfilled lives. Saroglitazar Mg which is one of the critical treatments for patients with NAFLD and NASH has substantially improved the patients’ quality of life. We are pleased to join hands with Lupin to enable access to this novel drug and thereby expand the reach,” Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Dr. Sharvil Patel said in a statement.

Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum ranging from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), which has the propensity to