Takeda Teams Up with Sun Pharma, and Cipla to Bring Innovative Gastrointestinal Drug to India

A Japanese Pharmaceutical firm, Takeda has joined hands with Sun Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd and Cipla to commercialize its gastrointestinal drug, Vonoprazan, across the Indian nation. Under the brand name "Voltapraz," Vonoprazan tablets are employed to block a crucial stage in the generation of stomach acid. Under a non-exclusive patent licensing deal with Takeda, Sun Pharma stated that the medication would be sold in tablet forms of 10 mg and 20 mg.

Vonoprazan is an innovative, orally active potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) used to treat reflux esophagitis and other acid-peptic disorders. Kirti Ganorkar, CEO of Sun Pharma's India Business, expressed keenness about the collaboration, asserting, "Sun Pharma is a leader in gastroenterology, and we are excited to introduce Vonoprazan in India under a non-exclusive patent license from Takeda." He highlighted that the partnership underscores the company's commitment to gastrointestinal health by offering patients and healthcare professionals a novel treatment option for managing reflux esophagitis and other acid-peptic disorders.

Given the high frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in India, this finding is especially remarkable. Notably, the US FDA approved Vonoprazan in November 2023 for the treatment of adult Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, the healing & maintenance of all grades of erosive esophagitis, and the reduction of heartburn brought on by erosive esophagitis when combined with antibiotics. Vonoprazan, a drug created by Takeda, is authorized for the treatment of acid-peptic diseases and reflux esophagitis in adults in India.