Post-Patent Expiry Boom, Empagliflozin Sees Brand Flood, 147 Brands Launched: Pharmatrac

One of the most significant developments was the surge in activity in the Empagliflozin segment, following the drug's patent expiry. The total number of brands in this category rose from 86 to 147 in just a few months, as more than 37 companies entered the space. Although the overall value of the segment remained relatively flat with a 1% year-on-year decline, volume consumption jumped 10%, reflecting improved affordability and access. Empagliflozin plain and its combination with Linagliptin currently account for about 80% of total sales in this Rs 745 crore market, underlining strong physician and patient adoption amid intense post-patent competition.

Brands in Market Post Patent Loss (Empagliflozin Segment)

Additionally, the report notes, “If one removes the overlap, there are close to 147 brands from 37 companies that have started featuring in the Empagliflozin Plain and Combinations market now. This number was 86 brands and 19 Companies in Mar 25.”

Meanwhile, the broader anti-diabetic category continued its strong showing, posting 7.7% year-on-year growth and crossing the Rs 20,800 crore mark. Within this space, insulin therapies alone contributed over Rs 4,400 crore, growing at 7%. Oral anti-diabetics still dominate with a 79% market share, but the insulin segment is gradually expanding, with domestic players gaining ground. Abbott (marketing Novo Nordisk insulin) maintained leadership with a 60% share, followed by Sanofi India, Lupin, and Eris Lifesciences. Notably, Indian entrants such as Cipla, USV, and Mankind posted aggressive year-on-year gains, with USV’s insulin portfolio soaring by 336% and Mankind’s growing by 66%.

In a related development, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a novel GLP-1/GIP dual agonist therapy for diabetes and obesity, is showing early signs of traction in the Indian market. Monthly sales climbed from Rs 1.42 crore in March to Rs 4.80 crore in April, with volumes jumping from 5,400 to 18,270 units. While the figures are still small in comparison to conventional insulins, the trend may signal growing prescriber interest in once-weekly anti-diabetic options, especially among urban consumers.

Among therapeutic segments, cardiac therapy led the market in value, touching Rs 30,483 crore with a 10.6% annual growth, followed closely by gastrointestinal therapies at Rs 27,612 crore. Neurology, dermatology, and anti-neoplastics all posted above 9% year-on-year growth, though April month growth across many therapies remained in the mid-to-high single digits. Importantly, volume growth continued to lag in most categories, indicating that recent expansion has been largely price-led.

On the corporate front, Sun Pharma retained its lead with Rs 18,863 crore in MAT sales, followed by Abbott and Mankind. Among the top-selling brands were Augmentin (Rs 820 Cr, GSK), Glycomet GP (Rs 806 Cr, USV), and Liv.52 (Rs 740 Cr, Himalaya). Insulin brand Mixtard also stood out with Rs 766 crore in annual sales.

Overall, the April snapshot suggests that the Indian pharmaceutical market continues to maintain its upward trajectory, aided by brand expansions, increasing chronic disease burden, and evolving treatment preferences. The spike in Empagliflozin competition post-patent and growing demand for next-gen therapies like Mounjaro point to a market that is becoming both more competitive and more innovation-driven.