Merck And Lupin Enter Partnership In Emerging Markets

Merck’s biopharmaceutical division Merck Serono announced that it has signed into a long-term collaboration with Indian pharmaceutical firm Lupin for the expansion of Merck’s General Medicines portfolio in emerging markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck Serono will leverage its overall portfolio in core therapeutic areas including the Endocrinology franchise in certain countries in Central Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Major markets including the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia, will also be covered. The partnership also aims to penetrate other countries in emerging markets in the cardiovascular and diabetes therapeutic areas. Lupin will contribute its capacity to supply product dossiers and finished products for the expansion of Merck Serono’s portfolio. The company will be eligible to receive upfront as well as milestone licensing payments. No further financial terms of the agreement were disclosed by the companies.

Elcin Ergun, head of Global Commercial at Merck Serono, said, “The agreement with Lupin is an exciting new approach for Merck Serono to address local health needs in fast-growing regions with constantly increasing demand for high quality medicines from trusted companies like Merck Serono and Lupin.” Ergun added that the partnership will serve to strengthen the company’s portfolio and position in emerging markets.

Sales from emerging market regions, worth nearly € 1.8 billion, remain one of the key growth drivers for Merck Serono.

Vinod Dhawan, Group President of the Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America businesses for Lupin, said, “This strategic partnership builds on the existing close collaboration between our two companies. We are delighted to enter into this alliance, which is an extension of our existing partnership into a much larger, multi-regional one.” The companies expect to add up to 20 new products to their current portfolio. The partners also said they expect to launch the first products from their new collaboration in 2016.