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Kolkata, Nov 17 : Novo Nordisk, the Denmark-based pharmaceutical major, is betting big on insulin analogs as the Indian diabetes market follows a global shift towards this higher-priced variety from the human insulin version.
Novo Nordisk's insulin analog, Levimir, has already captured 10% of the Rs 400 crore insulin market in India since its launch earlier this year.
Melvin D'Souza, managing director of the company's Indian arm said, "globally the share of the insulin analogs is almost 50% in volume terms."
In India, insulin analogs or `modern' insulin have a 4-5% market share by volume and 14% by value but are the fastest growing segment. Novo Nordisk has a market share of 52% in the modern insulin market and 63% in the overall human insulin and modern insulin market.
The Danish major is facing competition here from Sanofi Aventis' glargine, Lantus, and Eli Lilly's recently-launched exenatide injection Byetta. However, exenatide requires an insulin source within the body to be effective.
Novo Nordisk has been getting good response to its flagship insulin analog, NovoMix, in the premix regimen. Premixes, which have rapid and intermediate-acting analogs, contribute significantly to its revenues.
"At present, almost 75% of the market belongs to the premix regimen and is growing fast," said D'Souza.
The once-daily Levimir has already shown good results in the basal bolus regimen in India. The regimen--- in which the patient takes a 'bolus' of short-acting or ultra-short-acting insulin before meals to deal with the associated rise in blood-sugar levels --- accounts for a 10% share of the market.
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