Lupin Limited, a global pharmaceutical giant, has announced a non-exclusive patent license agreement with Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

Under this agreement, Lupin will commercialize vonoprazan tablets in India, a novel treatment for acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. This drug will be marketed under the brand name Lupivon. 

Vonoprazan is a potassium- competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), a new class of drugs that block acid production in the stomach by inhibiting the potassium-binding sites of acid pumps. It offers an alternative to traditional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2-receptor antagonists.

In India, Vonoprazan is approved for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and as part of helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Lupivon will be available in 10mg and 20 mg strengths. 

The launch of Vonoprazan comes at a critical time as gastrointestinal disorders, particularly acid peptic disorders, are becoming increasingly prevalent in India. According to the International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, conditions, such as gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) and people ulcer disease (PUD) affect a significant portion of the Indian population. GRED prevalence in the country ranges between 5 to 28.5 per cent, while around 8 percent of the population is affected by PUD. 

This growing burden of gastrointestinal diseases has highlighted the need for more effective and reliable treatments, and Vonoprazan offers a promising solution for patients who have not responded well to traditional therapies. The drug’s rapid action and prolonged acid suppression make it an attractive option for the treatment of GERD and other acid-related diseases. 

Following the announcement, Lupin’s shares on the NSE traded at Rs 2,225.60 down by Rs 44.80 or 1.97 per cent in share value, analysts expects the partnership with Takeda and the introduction of Lupivon to positively impact Lupin’s long-term growth in the gastrointestinal drug market.