Boehringer Ingelheim’s blockbuster diabetes Drug Empagliflozin is now off-patent in India. On Wednesday, Rajeev Juneja, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mankind Pharma announced that the company is launching the generic version as well as its Fixed Dose Combination (FDCs) in India.
“Mankind is launching this product at approximately 90 percent discount. By introducing Empagliflozin at INR 5.49 per tablet for the 10 mg variant and INR 9.90 per tablet for the 25 mg variant, we are ensuring that cost is no longer a barrier to access. The original drug was sold at 58 rupees or 59 rupees approximately per tablet,” Juneja said.
Mankind Pharma offers a range of products under Empagliflozin tablets which include EMPAGLYDE, EMPAGREAT and DYNADUO. EMPAGLYDE tablets are available in strengths ranging from 10 mg to 25 mg including variants – M, L, and S. EMPAGREAT tablets are also available in strengths ranging from 10 mg to 25 mg including variants – M and S. DYNADUO are available in strengths ranging from 10 mg to 25 mg.
The Managing Director also informed that they are manufacturing this drug in their own plant. “…we manufacture over 75% products in our own plants. That’s a plus side and second, the best part is what we are using API raw material which is DMF grade,” he informed.
The kind of, molecule, the API when we export is being used, the same has been used. And so two, three advantages are there. One, basically, is that we are offering the best quality which is like a originator. And the second is what? At 90% of the price.
“Our reach is in Tier-2 as well as Tier-3 town. We have launched in three divisions. We’re confident that this will have a fantastic impact because of the DMF grade quality at most affordable price to all the patients,” Juneja said.
On the market impact as well as influence of Dapagliflozin generics, Juneja told Financial Express.com: “…those patients who are taking Dapagliflozin will not be changed but new patients, would be given Empagliflozin. That’s a kind of an assumption we make. On the basis of that, we are quite hopeful, and optimistic that this will do fantastic. And on that basis I’m seeing that 50 percent volume wise growth can be achieved if I’m not very very aggressive in my thought process.”
It is noteworthy that the maker of popular Manforce condoms and Prega News pregnancy test kits is developing an oral anti-obesity drug that, if successful, could become the first small-molecule treatment for obesity globally.
The company focuses on both acute and chronic therapeutic areas and their portfolio of more than 500 products comprises a broad range of formulations across various acute and chronic therapeutic areas. The Anti-diabetics and Cardiovascular segments of their portfolio has 9 percent and 15 percent share in domestic sales respectively.
On the upcoming plans for its chronic portfolio Juneja revealed that more launches can be expected in the next financial year.
On Wednesday, Glenmark and Alkem Labs launched the generic versions as well as its Fixed Dose Combination (FDCs) of Empagliflozin in India.
