Abbott to distribute MSD's diabetes drug and its combinations in India

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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Abbott and MSD Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced a strategic distribution partnership to expand access to MSD’s oral anti-diabetic portfolio in India, including sitagliptin and its fixed-dose combinations.

Under the agreement, Abbott will leverage its extensive distribution network to market MSD’s sitagliptin-based brands—Januvia, Janumet, and Janumet XR—which remain category leaders despite the loss of exclusivity. Sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor introduced in India in 2008, has been a cornerstone in Type 2 diabetes management, helping reduce HbA1c levels and improve glycemic control. The drug patents expired in India in July 2022, which has triggered a wave of generic launches and steep price corrections across the market.

Despite the influx of generics, MSD still retains significant market share of sitagliptin in value terms, underscoring the brand’s resilience.

India’s oral anti-diabetic drug market is valued at Rs 12,500 crore, with DPP-4 inhibitors accounting for Rs 4,000 crore. Sitagliptin remains the gold standard in this category, commanding over 60% of the global market share.

India has over 101 million people living with diabetes and another 136 million are pre-diabetic. With non-communicable diseases accounting for 60% of deaths in India, the collaboration aims to address a critical public health challenge.

“The partnership with Abbott establishes a sustainable model to continue serving patients across India,” said Rehan A. Khan, Managing Director, MSD India Region. Abbott’s Vice President Ambati Venu emphasized the company’s commitment to integrated diabetes care, including diagnostics, monitoring, nutrition, and therapeutics.

The Abbott-MSD alliance reflects a broader trend of multinational firms adapting to post-patent landscapes by forging local partnerships to maintain market presence and scale access.