Sun Pharma and Zydus to co-market innovative CKD treatment drug in India

INDIA – Sun Pharma has partnered with Zydus Lifesciences Limited to co-market an innovative chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment drug, Desidustat, in India.

Desidustat, a pharmaceutical innovation of Zydus, has become the first-of-its-kind oral treatment for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease in India.

Through the new licensing agreement, Zydus has granted Sun Pharma semi-exclusive rights to co-market Desidustat in the region.

Desidustat will be sold by Sun Pharma under the brand name RYTSTAT as Zydus continues to market the drug under the brand name Oxemia.

In a joint statement from Sun Pharma and Zydus, Kirti Ganorkar, Chief Executive Officer for India Business at Sun Pharma, said: “The addition of RYTSTAT further strengthens our nephrology portfolio in India.”

With the new agreement, Zydus will receive upfront licensing income and is eligible to receive milestone income based on achievement of pre-defined milestones.

This partnership will play a crucial role in supporting the Government of India’s ongoing measures to combat the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease in the region.

In his address, Kirti Ganorkar said: “This partnership will allow greater access to a critical therapy, helping millions of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. At Sun Pharma, it has always been our endeavour to introduce innovative products that help improve the quality of life of patients.”

The partnership will also help to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease management by providing treatment for CKD patients at an affordable cost along with ease of convenience.

According to a recent Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study, more than 115 million people in India suffer from the serious, progressive medical condition.

The development and outcomes of CKD are impacted by local factors like aetiological spectrum influenced by local risk factors, genetic differences, socio-demographic variables and access to healthcare resources.

CKD is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function, usually accompanied by other comorbidities, including anemia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, eventually leading to kidney failure.

Patients with CKD often have to battle chronic fatigue caused by anemia. To address this, patients need to take injectable Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) about twice weekly.

Hence, the strategic collaboration between Sun Pharma and Zydus will help to address the care gaps resulting from the inadequate availability of an oral, safer alternative to ESAs in India.

A spokesperson from Zydus Lifesciences Limited commented: “Desidustat has substantially improved the patients’ quality of life since it is more convenient to take an oral pill instead of an injection that needs to be administered.”

The spokesperson further said that Zydus Lifesciences Limited has joined hands with Sun Pharma to expand the reach of Desidustat by enabling access to more patients in need.

Moreover, the exclusive license agreement is based on the detailed results from the clinical development programme of Desidustat conducted in India.

It is worth mentioning that the clinical development programme of Desidustat was one of the largest trials of its kind in India for anemia in CKD patients, conducted in over 1200 subjects.

Desidustat provides CKD patients with an oral, convenient therapeutic option for the treatment of anemia. It has been designed to inhibit Prolyl Hydroxylase (PHD) activity and stabilize Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) levels in the body.

Commenting on the new licensing agreement with Sun Pharma, the Zydus representative noted: “Our life changing discoveries are guided by the need to help patients and empower them with therapies that enable them to live healthier and more fulfilled lives.”

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