Zydus and Takeda partner to market Vonoprazan in India

New Delhi: Zydus Lifesciences Limited has announced a non-exclusive patent licensing agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to market the innovative gastrointestinal drug Potassium Competitive Acid Blocker (P-CAB) Vonoprazan in India. The drug, branded as Vault®, represents the next generation in the treatment of gastro duodenal ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a prevalent condition in India, affecting approximately 15.6% of the population according to a 2021 study published in the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. The study cites age, body mass index (BMI), diet, tea/coffee intake, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol as significant risk factors.

Zydus has a history of pioneering treatments for GERD, introducing medications such as Pantodac® (Pantoprazole), Happi® (Rabeprazole), and Ocid® (Omeprazole). Zydus was notably the first to introduce Pantoprazole in India in 1999. The addition of Vault® (Vonoprazan) to its product line provides clinicians with a novel treatment option for managing GERD and other acid peptic disorders in the Indian population.

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., commented on the development: “With a rich legacy in marketing gastrointestinal therapies in India, we have been offering different breakthrough clinical options across the spectrum. In keeping with our patient-centric approaches, we have been enabling access to newer treatment options and innovative healthcare solutions over nearly three decades. We are happy to add Vault® to our wide basket of gastro therapeutic products and widen our range of treatments for acid peptic disorders.”

Vonoprazan, a Potassium Competitive Acid Blocker (P-CAB), works by inhibiting the binding of potassium ions to the H+K+ ATPase (proton pump) in parietal cells in the stomach. This mechanism suppresses both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Vonoprazan for the treatment of adults with reflux esophagitis and other acid peptic disorders (APD).