Cipla Acquires Trademark Rights to Novartis' Antidiabetic Drug Vildagliptin in India

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that on December 16, 2019, Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla acquired the trade names and trademark rights to Vysov and Vysov M, Novartis’s antidiabetic drugs containing vildagliptin.

Cipla, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Mumbai, is one of India’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Cipla is committed to developing innovative products and drug delivery systems. As a global leader in healthcare, Cipla leverages technology and innovation to meet patients’ daily needs, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality medications. Previously, Cipla sequentially acquired Mirren Pty Ltd, Exelan Pharmaceuticals, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, Quality Chemicals Ltd, and Cipla Medpro South Africa Ltd in 2013, 2015, and 2018. In early July 2019, Cipla established a joint venture with the Chinese enterprise Acebright, marking the second attempt by an Indian company to enter the Chinese market.

Novartis, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is a global healthcare company. The Novartis team applies scientific knowledge to the field of health, discovering new ways to improve health outcomes and extend life to meet the needs of patients worldwide. Novartis’s core businesses span various areas, including patented medicines, generic drugs, eye care, consumer health, and animal health.

Vildagliptin (brand name: Galvus) is an oral antidiabetic drug belonging to the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor class, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Vildagliptin is the only agent capable of suppressing glucagon secretion during both hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic conditions.

Cipla has noted the strong growth trend of its anti-diabetic drug vildagliptin under the brands Vysov and Vysov M in the Indian market, stating that the market size for vildagliptin in India is ₹8.18 billion. Currently, Cipla and Novartis are jointly marketing vildagliptin under the two brands, Vysov and Vysov M.

Cipla is the second pharmaceutical company this month to acquire trademark rights to Novartis’ anti-diabetic drug. Previously, on December 4, Eris Lifesciences Ltd. acquired the trademark rights to Zomelis, another brand of Novartis’ anti-diabetic drug vildagliptin, for $13 million.

Nikhil Chopra, Executive Vice President and Head of India Business at Cipla, stated, “Improved affordability of vildagliptin for patients facilitates disease management. Cipla’s acquisition of the Vysov trademark rights will accelerate the adoption of vildagliptin in the Indian market.”

(Compiled by: Chang Jia)