Natco Pharma Set to Launch Risdiplam at Rs 15,900 After Landmark Delhi High Court Ruling

Natco Pharma is poised to make a significant impact in the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) following a landmark decision by the Delhi High Court. The court dismissed an appeal by Swiss pharmaceutical giant F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, paving the way for Natco to launch a generic version of the drug Risdiplam in India.

Legal Victory and Market Impact

The Commercial Appellate Division of the Delhi High Court upheld a previous ruling from March 24, which had initially cleared the path for Natco's generic Risdiplam. This decision marks the end of a prolonged legal battle and removes the final hurdle for Natco to bring this life-saving medication to the Indian market at a more accessible price point.

Pricing Strategy and Patient Access

In a move that aligns with its commitment to affordability, Natco Pharma has announced its pricing strategy for Risdiplam:

Detail	Information
Pricing	Rs 15,900 (MRP)
Additional Benefits	Discounts for eligible patients through a patient access program
Launch Timeline	Immediate effect

This pricing strategy represents a significant reduction compared to the original drug's cost, potentially making the treatment more accessible to a broader range of patients suffering from SMA in India.

Significance of Risdiplam

Risdiplam is a crucial medication for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a debilitating disease that is one of the leading causes of death in infants due to neuronal degeneration. Prior to this development, treatment options for SMA in India were limited and often financially out of reach for many patients.

Corporate Developments

Coinciding with this major pharmaceutical development, Natco Pharma has also announced a key appointment to strengthen its quality assurance team:

Position	Appointee	Effective Date
Vice President – Corporate Quality Assurance (Formulations)	Mr. G. Vijay Kiran Kumar	October 9

Mr. Kumar brings over 24 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in cGMP and GLP standards, regulatory requirements, and production operations management.

Market Implications

This development is expected to have significant implications for both Natco Pharma and the broader pharmaceutical market in India:

Increased accessibility to SMA treatment for Indian patients
Potential boost to Natco Pharma's market position in specialty pharmaceuticals
Precedent for future generic drug launches in high-value therapeutic areas

As Natco Pharma moves forward with the launch of Risdiplam, the company's ability to navigate complex legal challenges while maintaining a focus on affordability and patient access demonstrates its strategic positioning in the Indian pharmaceutical landscape.

Investors and industry observers will be watching closely to see how this launch impacts Natco Pharma's financial performance and market share in the coming quarters.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
+0.53%	-2.32%	-3.62%	-0.17%	-40.53%	-9.92%

Natco Pharma Limited, a prominent player in the Indian pharmaceutical industry, has announced the upcoming superannuation of one of its key executives. Dr. Santhan Gopalakrishnan Vaidyanathan, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of ARD (Active Research and Development), is set to retire from the company.

Retirement Details

According to the company's disclosure under SEBI regulations, Dr. Vaidyanathan will superannuate from his role effective from the closure of business hours on September 30, 2025. This information was communicated to both the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.

Company Disclosure

Natco Pharma Limited made this announcement in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company provided the following details as required by the regulatory guidelines:

Particulars	Details
Name	Dr. Santhan Gopalakrishnan Vaidyanathan
Reason for Change	Superannuation as Senior Vice President - ARD
Date of Cessation	Effective from the closure of business hours on September 30, 2025

Impact on NATCO Pharma

Dr. Vaidyanathan's departure marks the end of his tenure as a senior executive in Natco Pharma's Active Research and Development division. While the company has not provided specific details about Dr. Vaidyanathan's contributions or a succession plan, his role as Senior Vice President - ARD suggests he has been a key figure in the company's research and development efforts.

Natco Pharma, known for its strong presence in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in oncology and hepatitis C treatments, will likely plan for a smooth transition as the date of Dr. Vaidyanathan's superannuation approaches.

The announcement of this high-level change comes as part of Natco Pharma's commitment to transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, the company's ability to maintain strong leadership in its research and development arm will be crucial for its future innovations and market position.