Cipla Limited, which is sitting on a sizeable cash kitty, continues to scan the deal horizon both in India and the US, among other markets, alongside exploring opportunities in new therapeutic areas such mental health and obesity.
Foraying Into Obesity, Mental Health
Cipla’s managing director and global CEO, Umang Vohra, indicated that company expects to diversify beyond key areas such as lung leadership, antimicrobial resistance and wellness, into the mental health and obesity segments. (Also see "'Future Fit' Cipla: Play In Oligonucleotides, Obesity Amid Promoter Stake Action" - Scrip, 17 May, 2024.)
In the mental health space, Cipla is currently working around movement disorders, which includes Parkinson's disease and neurological disorders, he said.
In response to a query from Scrip at a media interaction, Vohra said that the efforts in mental health will be driven by a mix of the licensing as well as the firm’s own portfolio.
Epilepsy and migraine are also some of the areas that the company is working on. “They're not full-scale psychiatry. I think that will follow later,” Vohra added.
Cipla had earlier entered into a licensing deal with Sanofi, under which it will distribute in India six of the French multinational’s CNS brands including Frisium, a key anti-epileptic therapy. (Also see "How Sanofi Is ‘Playing To Win’ In India, Watch Diabetes Space" - Scrip, 15 April, 2024.)
On the prospects of a potential alliance with Eli Lilly and Company in the obesity segment in India for products like tirzepatide, Vohra reiterated that the company already has a strong existing partnership with the US company and will be” very happy” to partner with them.
“But at this point in time, it is completely Lilly’s decision on how they will want to commercialize the product,” he said.
A subject expert committee (SEC) that advises the Indian drugs regulator had earlier given the go ahead for importation and marketing of tirzepatide 2.5mg/0.5 ml, 5mg/0.5ml, 10mg/0.5 ml, 12.5mg/0.5 ml and 15mg/0.5 ml solution for injection (single dose vial) subject to certain conditions.
Earlier this year, Lilly’s top management indicated an intent to launch tirzepatide in India next year, subject to regulatory approval and the supply situation. India has been part of global studies for the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. (Also see "Lilly CEO: Affordable Generics And IP Support 'Not Incompatible Ideas'" - Scrip, 1 March, 2024.)
Tirzepatide was approved by the US FDA as Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes in May 2022 and as Zepbound for obesity in November 2023.
In the company’s latest annual report, Vohra said that the company aims to develop drugs, digital efforts, nutraceuticals and the overall ecosystem for obesity and related cardiovascular disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome and liver conditions. Cipla also expects to introduce semaglutide for the management of obesity in India at an "opportune time." (Also see "Cipla Points To Large GLP-1 India Opportunity Amid Speculation On Lilly Deal" - Scrip, 29 January, 2024.)
“Similar efforts have also been planned in the areas of mental health and in oncology,” the CEO added.
Cipla's global chief financial officer, Ashish Adukia, said that in the branded generics space in India, the company is “very...
