Glenmark's anti-diabetic drug biosimilar claims to cut therapy cost by 70%

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today launched a biosimilar of the popular anti‐diabetic drug, Liraglutide. The company claims it marks the first instance of such a launch in India, with a promise to reduce the cost of therapy by around 70%.

The drug is being marketed under the brand name ‘Lirafit’, following approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It is priced at ₹100 for a regular daily dosage of 1.2mg (per day) and will be accessible exclusively through prescription.

Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals rose 1.44% at ₹897 apiece on BSE today after the company’s announcement. Liraglutide will be available solely through a prescription.

“Priced at around INR 100 for a standard dose of 1.2 mg (per day), this will lower the cost of therapy by around 70%, and will be available only under prescription,” the company says via an exchange filing.

Liraglutide belongs to the class of glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1 RA) drugs, which increase glucose‐dependent insulin secretion and decrease in appropriate glucagon secretion.

According to Glenmark, Liraglutide has received global approval for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adult patients, both in the United States and the European Union.

The company claims it has established effectiveness in improving glycemic control among individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials conducted on Indian adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over a 24-week duration have affirmed that Lirafit is effective and safe.

“Liraglutide has a proven efficacy in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials on Indian adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over a 24‐week period have demonstrated Lirafit to be effective, safe and well‐tolerated,” the company says.

“Additional benefits of liraglutide include effectively lowering glycemic parameters, weight reduction, and cardiovascular safety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” it adds.

According to the ICMR‐INDIAB study carried out from October 2008 and December 2020, diabetes was found to have an overall weighted prevalence of 11.4% in India.

According to IQVIA sales data covering the 12 months leading up to August 2023 (MAT August 2023), the market size for GLP‐1 RA in India is estimated to be ₹259 crore, with an annual growth rate of 108% against the corresponding period last year (MAT August 2022).

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends GLP‐1 RAs therapy for weight loss and lesser risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, the filing states.

“GLP‐1 RAs are recommended in the treatment guidelines by the American Diabetes Association as well as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) Consensus Statement & European Society of Cardiology for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with co‐morbidities, like established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity.” it adds.

Alok Malik, President and Business Head ‐ India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd says Liraglutide has also proven to have a positive impact on cardiac and renal safety outcomes among patients in clinical trials, making it an effective choice of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.