Sun Pharma to distribute new brand of AstraZeneca’s ticagrelor in India

Indian drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (BSE: 524715) has entered into a distribution services agreement with the local subsidiary of Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) for AstraZeneca’s brand Axcer, a new brand of ticagrelor, a drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

AstraZeneca already markets ticagrelor under the trade mark Brilinta, which was launched by AstraZeneca Pharma India in 2012.

Abhay Gandhi, chief executive, India Business, Sun Pharma, said: “We are happy to collaborate with AstraZeneca to provide customers access to this latest generation treatment option for ACS. Such collaborations are also a part of our stated policy of becoming the partner of choice for promotion and distribution of innovative pharmaceutical products in the country.”

Sanjay Murdeshwar, managing director, AstraZeneca Pharma India, added: “We are pleased to collaborate with Sun Pharmaceuticals to bring this innovative treatment solution to a larger number of ACS patients in India. Ticagrelor works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and maintains blood flow in the body, helping reduce a patient’s risk of another heart attack or cardiovascular-related death.”

Sun Pharma will be promoting and distributing the Axcer brand in India. This collaboration enables AstraZeneca to expand usage of this molecule through wider reach to physicians and thereby benefiting a greater number of ACS patients. It strengthens Sun Pharma’s cardiology portfolio with the addition of a new patented therapy, the Indian firm said.