MSD and pharmaceutical major Cipla announced the formation of an India-specific strategic partnership. Within the scope of the partnership, Cipla will have a non-exclusive license to market, promote and distribute MSD’s raltegravir 400 mg tablet, under a different brand name in India. Access to treatment and patient-centric approach are the cornerstones to this partnership. With this model both companies expect to broaden reach of raltegravir in private and public markets of India. Access to raltegravir is important for patients who require it as part of third line salvage regimen when there are few options left.
Announcing the partnership, KG Ananthakrishnan, Managing Director, MSD in India said, “MSD is committed to developing innovative therapies that offer advances in the treatment of infectious diseases – including HIV. MSD’s efforts to develop treatments for HIV/AIDS have been under way for more than 20 years and continue today. We are proud to have entered into a strategic, India-specific partnership with Cipla. This partnership is aligned with our commitment towards patients in India and also addressing treatment challenges for high risk patients by providing broader access to our innovative medicines and vaccines. It is a complementary partnership as MSD brings the research and scientific excellence for raltegravir, and Cipla brings their marketing excellence, significant reach among key clinician categories to drive product access. MSD and Cipla both share the same commitment of providing broader access to HIV treatment.”
Announcing the partnership, Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Chief Medical Officer, Cipla said, “This partnership reinforces Cipla’s ongoing commitment to HIV/ AIDS treatment making life-saving drugs accessible. Raltegravir, a third line therapy treatment will be a value addition to Cipla’s portfolio of HIV/AIDS treatment, especially for those patients who are resistant to the first and second line therapy treatment. Cipla’s HIV/AIDS medications, including the innovative triple cocktail drug has been available for patients for over a decade now. Cipla has been instrumental in physician and patient education and also instrumental in changing the perception of people about HIV being a fatal disease to a chronic infection. Since Cipla has such an extensive marketing and sales operation in India, the company will ensure that this vital treatment reaches those patients who are in need. In this way, Cipla will fulfil its promise of access in terms of geographical areas. We anticipate this drug being available to patients from middle of this year.”
Subhanu Saxena, Managing Director and Global Chief Executive Officer, Cipla said, “With Cipla’s strength in India, South Africa and other emerging markets, we have long been the pharma company serving patients who most need access to affordable medicines. By entering into this marketing partnership with MSD, Cipla is demonstrating its commitment to working with partners globally who share the same pro access philosophy of Cipla. We want to ensure that all patients, particularly in developing countries, get access to the most innovative, breakthrough medicines available. We look forward to more such collaborations ensuring lifesaving drugs like raltegravir reach the patients in need.”
Identifying this significant disease burden challenge and the need for newer innovative therapies, this partnership is built on a patient-centric model, which will help all eligible needy patients’ access raltegravir molecule for the benefit of their ongoing treatment regimen.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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