October06,2022:Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (Glenmark), an innovation-driven global pharmaceutical company, became the first to launch Thiazolidinedione Lobeglitazone (Lobeglitazone) in India for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Marketed under the brand name LOBG; it contains Lobeglitazone (0.5 mg) and is to be taken once daily under prescription to improve glycemic control in adult diabetic patients. Indians have a high prevalence of insulin resistance and that makes LOBG an appealing treatment option in managing uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes among insulin-resistant diabetic patients.
Glenmark earlier received approval from the Indian drug regulator, Drug Controller General of India, for manufacturing and marketing Lobeglitazone based on a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 clinical trial conducted on adult Type 2 diabetic patients, aged 18 years and older. The results of this trial have shown faster and improved glycemic control with Lobeglitazone.
On the occasion of the launch, Alok Malik, EVP&Business Head – of India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, “As per the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects 74 million adults in India, of which, around 40% of them seem to be insulin-resistant. As a leading solutions provider in India for the treatment of diabetes, we are proud to introduce LOBG; an innovative and affordable drug, which will help in tackling insulin resistance among adult patients suffering from uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes in the country.”
Glenmark and Diabetes in India
Glenmark has a strong legacy of bringing new and effective treatment options for diabetic patients. In 2015, Glenmark revolutionized diabetes treatment in India by being the first to launch the DPP4 inhibitor –Teneligliptin, followed by a fixed-dose combination of Teneligliptin + Metformin. In continuation of its legacy, Glenmark launched Remogliflozin, a novel SGLT-2 inhibitor in 2019 after its first global approval in India and subsequently launched its combinations with metformin and Vildagliptin.
According to IQVIA™ sales data for the 12‐month period ending Aug. 2022, the market for oral anti-diabetic drugs in India is estimated to be INR 11,725 cr. with an annual growth of 7% against the corresponding period last year (MAT Aug 2021). As per the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the prevalence of diabetes in India is expected to increase to 125 million by 2045. Out of these, 77% of patients have uncontrolled diabetes. Moreover, every four out of ten diabetic patients seem to have insulin resistance in India.