MSD and Lupin announced the forming of an India-specific strategic partnership. Within the scope of the partnership, Lupin will have a non-exclusive license to market, promote and distribute MSD’s 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine under a different brand name in India.
Announcing the partnership, K G Ananthakrishnan, Managing Director, MSD in India said, “MSD has a rich legacy of developing vaccines to prevent some of the world’s leading diseases. This partnership is aligned with our commitment towards patients in India and also addressing treatment challenges for high risk patients by providing broader access to our innovative medicines and vaccines. It is a perfect amalgamation as MSD brings the research and scientific excellence for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines, and Lupin brings their marketing excellence, significant reach among key clinician categories to drive product access. MSD and Lupin both share the same commitment of providing broader access to a larger at risk adult population, driving vaccination rate and reducing fatality, which is core to this unique collaboration in vaccines.”
Shakti Chakraborty, Group President, India and CIS countries, Lupin said, “We are pleased to be associated with MSD in India. This partnership bears testimony to Lupin’s leadership credentials in the Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM), 2.8 per cent market share of the overall IPM (IMS TSA MAT, March 2013), not to mention leadership specifically in the cardiovascular, diabetes and respiratory therapy segments as also our existing market reach within the IPM. We believe that the partnership is an important step-forward as both companies share a common passion and commitment to make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients suffering from pneumococcal diseases in India.”
EP News Bureau – Mumbai