Cipla signs licensing deal with Lilly to sell two diabetes drugs in India

Cipla has signed a licensing deal with the Indian subsidiary of US pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) pertaining to the latter’s diabetes treatments — Humalog [Insulin Lispro I.P. (rDNA Origin) injection] and Trulicity (Dulaglutide) in India.

In this connection, Lilly will transfer its rights in India to sell, promote, and distribute the two diabetes drugs to Cipla with the deal being subject to all regulatory approvals.

For its remaining portfolio of products in India, Lilly will continue to maintain its existing operating model.

Luca Visini — Managing Director India Subcontinent, Lilly India said: “Developing strategic partnerships to adopt different operating models is key to enabling Lilly’s global efforts to make innovative medicines available to more people in India and around the world.

“Today, we are proud to be announcing our partnership with Cipla, which, pending full regulatory approvals, will hold the rights to sell, market, and distribute select Lilly Diabetes portfolio products. Cipla has a strong local footprint and is well established to expand access to those medicines around India.”

Cipla said that it will utilize its capabilities and distribution strengths for engaging healthcare professionals and broaden access to the diabetes treatments in India.

Dr. Vikas Gupta — Cipla Head of India Prescription Business said: “Enhancing access to high quality treatments is central to our purpose of ‘Caring for Life’. Lilly’s in-depth scientific knowledge and core purpose of providing patients with access to innovative products are aligned to Cipla’s goals.

“We are pleased to collaborate and build onto our existing partnership with Lilly India towards bringing innovative diabetes medications to India. Diabetes continues to be our key focus and this deal further strengthens our steadfast commitment to address the unmet needs of diabetes patients through a comprehensive portfolio of offerings in this space.”

Recently, Cipla had signed a joint venture agreement with Kemwell Biopharma, a Bengaluru-based biopharma CDMO for developing, manufacturing, and commercializing biosimilars for global markets.