Sun Pharma Partners with Takeda to Introduce Gastrointestinal Drug in India

The pact allows Sun Pharma to commercialize Vonoprazan tablets, a novel gastrointestinal drug, in India. 

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, a major player in the Indian pharmaceutical sector, has joined forces with Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. 

The pact allows Sun Pharma to commercialize Vonoprazan tablets, an innovative gastrointestinal drug, in India. 

The deal encompasses non-exclusive patent rights for the medication's 10 mg and 20 mg strengths, marking a significant step for both companies.

Vonoprazan, an orally active potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB), treats reflux esophagitis and other acid-peptic disorders. This novel drug offers an alternative treatment for patients suffering from these conditions, enhancing the therapeutic options available to healthcare providers in India.

Addressing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a prevalent condition in India, affecting a significant portion of the population. The availability of Vonoprazan is expected to provide considerable relief to many patients dealing with this condition.

Commenting on the development, Kirti Ganorkar, CEO of India Business at Sun Pharma, said, "Sun Pharma is a leader in gastroenterology, and we are excited to introduce Vonoprazan in India under a non-exclusive patent license from Takeda."

By offering new treatment options for acid-peptic disorders and reflux esophagitis, Sun Pharma enhances gastrointestinal health.

FDA Approval & Therapeutic Uses

In November 2023, the US FDA approved Vonoprazan for healing and maintaining all grades of erosive esophagitis and for relieving heartburn associated with erosive esophagitis. 

Additionally, it was approved for use with antibiotics such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin or amoxicillin alone to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults. 

In India, the drug has been approved for treating adults with reflux esophagitis and other acid-peptic disorders, highlighting its broad therapeutic applicability. 

Following these announcements, Sun Pharma's shares saw a slight increase, trading at INR 1,480.55 a piece on the BSE, up by 0.69%. 

Sun Pharma’s Series of Acquisitions

In another strategic move, Sun Pharma acquired a 16.33% stake in Michigan-based Surgimatix Inc for $3.05 million. Surgimatix is developing a proprietary soft tissue fixation device for laparoscopic hernia repair and other minimally invasive surgeries. This investment aims to bolster Sun Pharma's portfolio and support advancements in healthcare technology. 

Days back, the Indian drugmaker acquired Israel’s Taro Pharma in a deal worth $347.73 million.

As per the merger deal, Sun Pharma agreed to acquire all outstanding ordinary shares of Taro Pharmaceutical, which were not previously owned by the company or its affiliates, for $347.73 million, approximately INR 2,891.76 Cr, in cash.

The acquisition price was $43 per share in cash without interest for 8,086,818 shares, representing 21.52% of the total outstanding Taro shares.

In December, Sun Pharmaceutical agreed to acquire a 16.7% stake in the US-based Lyndra Therapeutics for $30 million. Lyndra Therapeutics develops novel delivery technology for long-acting oral (LAO) therapies.

This strategic investment seeks to support the development of advanced pharmaceutical delivery technologies and get access to the technology for specific molecules and territories.