Lupin inks pact with Merck Serono to expand in emerging markets

Mumbai: Drug maker Lupin Ltd said on Tuesday that it had signed a strategic partnership with Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of German pharma-to-specialty chemicals group Merck KgaA.

Under this partnership, Lupin will support Merck Serono to expand its generic drug portfolio in emerging markets by developing and supplying finished products. Merck Serono will be marketing products, using its commercial and medical teams in emerging markets.

The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement could add up to 20 new products to the current portfolio. The first launches under this arrangement are expected in 2016.

Some of the key markets covered under this partnership include Latin America, Asia, Central Eastern Europe, and Africa. The business will focus on therapeutic segments such as endocrinology, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In Africa, medicines will also be supplied for additional therapeutic areas, reflecting local healthcare needs such as antibiotics, said a Lupin statement on Tuesday.

"We look forward to working with Merck Serono leveraging our established world-class formulation development, manufacturing, supply chain and regulatory capabilities to produce a range of medications that meet local needs" said Vinod Dhawan, group president (Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East and Latin America) at Lupin.

According to Merck Serono's global commercial head Elcin Ergun, the collaboration with Lupin will significantly strengthen its portfolio and position in emerging markets, and provide patients in these regions with better access to health.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.