AstraZeneca Pharma India on Monday said it has partnered with India's largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries to co-market Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC), a therapy for hyperkalaemia, in a bid to widen access to treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease and heart failure.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will sell SZC under the brand Lokelma, while Sun Pharma will distribute it as Gimliand. AstraZeneca retains intellectual property rights and marketing authorisation for the molecule.
“This partnership reaffirms our purpose to deliver innovative, life-changing medicines to patients with hyperkalaemia across India,” said Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President & MD of AstraZeneca India. “We aim to expand reach and improve patient outcomes through early screening and guideline-directed therapy.”
Sun Pharma MD Kirti Ganorkar said the deal strengthens its chronic care portfolio. “The addition of SZC underscores our commitment to improving care for patients with chronic kidney disease,” he said.
Hyperkalaemia, a condition marked by elevated potassium levels, affects up to 50 percent of CKD patients and 42 percent of those with chronic heart failure, according to published data. Mortality linked to the condition in India is estimated at 22.2 percent. SZC offers a rapid and well-tolerated treatment option, studies show.
Sun Pharma, India’s largest drugmaker with an 8.3 percent market share, will leverage its 15,000-strong field force to boost access. AstraZeneca, marking 45 years in India, focuses on cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic therapies alongside oncology and respiratory care.
The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
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