Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 20: Domestic drugmaker Mankind Pharma on Thursday announced an exclusive in-licensing agreement with China's Chongqing Chenan Biopharmaceuticals to commercialise two basal insulin analogues in the Indian market, strengthening its presence in the diabetes treatment segment.
The partnership covers two injectable therapies — insulin degludec and a combination of insulin degludec and insulin aspart — used in the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The company said the agreement will expand its portfolio of advanced injectable therapies and improve access to diabetes treatments in India. Industry sources said Mankind could price the products competitively once they are launched.
The insulin degludec and insulin aspart combination is commonly sold as Ryzodeg by Novo Nordisk in India. A 3 ml penfill or cartridge of the combination typically costs around Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,600.
“This partnership reinforces our commitment to expanding access to advanced therapies for patients in India while further strengthening our presence in the injectable diabetes segment,” said Atish Majumdar, senior president for sales and marketing at Mankind Pharma.
Mankind Pharma's diabetes therapy sales stood at Rs 1,073 crore in July 2026 on a moving annual turnover (MAT) basis, representing revenue over the preceding 12 months. The company currently holds a 4.4 per cent share of the Indian diabetes therapy market.
A company spokesperson said most of Mankind's current diabetes sales come from oral anti-diabetic medicines, but the company expects injectable therapies such as insulin to account for a significant share of the segment in the coming years.
The spokesperson said the agreement is expected to help Mankind establish a presence in the injectable diabetes therapy category and eventually become one of the top three companies in the segment.
However, the two insulin products are yet to receive approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). They will have to undergo the required regulatory process before they can be commercially launched in India.
The latest agreement is part of Mankind Pharma's strategy of building an in-licensing pipeline through partnerships with Chinese pharmaceutical companies, particularly in chronic disease therapies.
In 2024, Mankind entered into a partnership with Innovent Biologics to commercialise its anti-cancer drug Sintilimab in India under a licensing arrangement.
The company said the latest tie-up with Chongqing Chenan is also in line with its broader strategy of accessing global innovation through strategic partnerships and in-licensing opportunities.
“China's rapidly developing biopharmaceutical ecosystem presents opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical companies to access differentiated and innovative assets that can complement their existing portfolios,” Mankind said in an exchange filing.
Majumdar described China as a rapidly emerging hub for innovative biopharmaceutical assets and said Mankind remains focused on expanding its in-licensing pipeline from the country, building on partnerships such as the latest insulin agreement.
Mankind Pharma's shares fell 0.25 per cent on Thursday to close at Rs 2,385 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).