AstraZeneca and Sun Pharma Join Forces to Tackle Hyperkalaemia in India

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited (AstraZeneca) and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Sun Pharma) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the availability of a crucial treatment for hyperkalaemia in India. This collaboration marks a significant step in addressing a condition that affects a substantial number of patients with chronic kidney disease and heart failure in the country.

Key Points of the Agreement

Exclusive Distribution: The agreement grants exclusive distribution rights for Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC), a treatment for hyperkalaemia.
Dual Branding Strategy: Both companies will market SZC under different brand names - AstraZeneca as Lokelma® and Sun Pharma as Gimliand®.
Intellectual Property: AstraZeneca retains the intellectual property rights and marketing authorization for SZC.
Financial Terms: AstraZeneca will receive Rs. 26.00 crores, comprising upfront fees and sales milestone payments.

Impact on Patient Care

This partnership aims to significantly improve access to SZC across India. Hyperkalaemia, a condition characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood, affects up to 50% of patients with chronic kidney disease and 42% of those with chronic heart failure. In India, the mortality rate associated with hyperkalaemia has been reported at 22.20%, underscoring the critical need for effective treatments.

Market Positioning

Sun Pharma, as India's largest pharmaceutical company with an 8.30% market share, brings its extensive distribution network and strong presence in chronic therapies to the partnership. This collaboration is expected to leverage Sun Pharma's reach to enhance the availability of this innovative treatment.

Executive Statements

Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President & Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, emphasized the company's commitment to improving patient outcomes through early screening, diagnosis, and adoption of guideline-directed medical therapy.

Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, highlighted the partnership's alignment with Sun Pharma's focus on addressing challenges in chronic kidney disease management and improving patients' quality of life.

Conclusion

This strategic partnership between AstraZeneca and Sun Pharma represents a significant development in the Indian pharmaceutical landscape. By combining AstraZeneca's innovative medicine with Sun Pharma's extensive market presence, the collaboration aims to address the pressing need for effective hyperkalaemia treatment in India, potentially improving outcomes for a large patient population affected by this condition.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
-0.14%	+0.63%	-0.42%	+14.51%	+42.46%	+109.70%

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited , a prominent player in the pharmaceutical sector, has announced significant corporate changes alongside its quarterly financial results. The company is navigating through a leadership transition while maintaining robust financial performance.

Leadership Transition

AstraZeneca Pharma India has disclosed that its Company Secretary, Ms. Manasa R, has decided to pursue career opportunities outside the organization. Her last working day is scheduled for November 28, 2025. The company has initiated a search for a suitable replacement to fill this crucial position.

Strong Financial Performance

Alongside this corporate update, AstraZeneca Pharma India has released its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, showcasing substantial growth across key metrics:

Financial Metric	Q2 (Rs in millions)	Q2 Previous Year (Rs in millions)	Year-on-Year Growth
Total Income from Operations	5,652.60	4,161.50	35.80%
Net Profit Before Tax	728.20	510.30	42.70%
Net Profit After Tax	542.20	384.30	41.10%
Earnings Per Share (Rs)	21.69	15.37	41.10%

The company's performance demonstrates significant year-on-year growth, with total income from operations increasing by 35.80% and net profit after tax surging by 41.10% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Manufacturing Site Update

AstraZeneca Pharma India has provided an update on its manufacturing operations. The company has ceased operations at its manufacturing site in Bangalore and is currently in the process of selling assets related to the facility. These assets have been reclassified as "Assets held for sale" in compliance with relevant accounting standards.

Looking Ahead

As AstraZeneca Pharma India navigates through these corporate changes and continues its financial performance, the company remains focused on its core operations and future growth strategies. The search for a new Company Secretary and the ongoing process of asset divestment from the manufacturing facility indicate a period of transition for the company.

Investors and stakeholders will be keenly watching how these changes impact the company's operations and financial performance in the coming quarters.