Torrent Pharma Eyes India Launch of MASH Drug Resmetirom After Semaglutide Success
New Delhi: Torrent Pharmaceuticals is planning to introduce resmetirom, a new liver disease drug approved in the United States, in the Indian market as the company looks to strengthen its presence in metabolic and chronic disease therapies after gaining an early advantage in the semaglutide segment.
Resmetirom, marketed in the US as Rezdiffra by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, is approved for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious liver disease associated with obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders.
According to a recent media report in The Hindu Business Line, Torrent Pharma is currently conducting Phase III clinical trials of the drug in India and is aiming to launch the therapy in the domestic market after patent expiry, subject to successful trial outcomes and regulatory clearances.
Torrent Pharma Managing Director Aman Mehta said the company expects to launch the drug in India within 12 to 18 months after the patent expires if the ongoing clinical studies progress as expected.The company sees the MASH treatment segment as a significant long-term opportunity amid rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease in India. Reports indicated that there are currently very limited innovative treatment options available in the country for MASH and related liver disorders.
The development comes shortly after Torrent Pharma established an early presence in India’s semaglutide market through launches in both oral and injectable segments used for diabetes and obesity management.
Torrent Pharma had launched oral and injectable semaglutide formulations under the brand names Semalix and Sembolic in India, becoming one of the earliest companies to enter the generic semaglutide market in the country.
According to market data cited in reports, the company secured around 38 per cent share of the generic semaglutide market within a short period after launch. Torrent also gained strong presence in the injectable category while leading the oral semaglutide segment.
The company expects competition in the semaglutide segment to increase as more pharmaceutical companies enter the market following patent expiry of Novo Nordisk’s innovator drug.
Reports further stated that Torrent Pharma believes its early entry into both oral and injectable semaglutide formulations helped the company build strong prescription momentum and market positioning.
The Hindu BusinessLine reports that Torrent Pharma is focusing on expanding its metabolic disease portfolio through both semaglutide and resmetirom as lifestyle-linked disorders continue to rise in India.
The report also noted that the company considers the liver disease therapy market a promising future growth area due to increasing diagnosis of fatty liver conditions and growing awareness regarding metabolic health disorders.
