Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

Sun Pharma spent 6.5 per cent of its total revenue generated during the FY20-21 for R&D, amounting to Rs 2149 crore. The Mumbai-based company has three R&D centres in India spread across Vadodara (Gujarat), Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Gurugram (Haryana). A critical catalyst to the business, R&D investments help build a strong pipeline of branded generics, pure generics and specialty products for India and international markets. Sun Pharma’s R&D capabilities include expertise in the development of products across dosage forms, such as injectables, orals, liquids, ointments, gels, sprays, hormones and oral products. The R&D team is actively supported by strong intellectual property capability. Sun Pharma’s global team has 37,000+ people from over 50 nationalities, collaborating across cultures and locations to develop, manufacture and distribute pharmaceutical products to patients/customers across over 100 geographical markets.

Key Highlights of FY20-21

■ Entered into an exclusive licencing and distribution agreement for ILUMYA with Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma) for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

■ Introduced ILUMYA Subcutaneous Injection 100 mg Syringe in Japan for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults, who have an inadequate response to conventional therapies.

■ Initiated Phase II clinical trials of SCD-044 for a potential oral treatment for atopic dermatitis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

■ Concluded a worldwide in-licencing agreement with Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd. (SPARC) for SCD-044, a potential oral treatment for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and other auto-immune disorders.

■ Commenced Phase II trials of MM-II for a potential treatment for knee pain in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Most of our businesses have recorded growth for FY21 despite the challenges related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our India business outperformed the average industry growth. The R&D investments for the year were approximately Rs 2100 crore at 6.5 per cent of overall sales. During the year, we continued our R&D efforts to develop complex generics and innovative specialty products. Some of the clinical trials for our specialty products witnessed a delay of a few months during the year due to the pandemic, and have gained momentum after the lockdowns were lifted gradually. During the year, we launched 96 products in the domestic market, including Brevipil (Brivaracetam) and FluGuard (Favipiravir). Investments for developing the long-term specialty pipeline are expected to continue. We continue to invest in R&D related to our global generic business, for developing and filing products across markets.

- DILIP S. SHANGHVI

Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

■ Initiated Phase I clinical trials of GLP-1R (GlucagonLike Peptide-1 Receptor) agonist for treating diabetes.

■ Launched FluGuard (Favipiravir 200 mg) in India at Rs 35 per tablet, for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

■ Introduced Brivaracetam at an affordable price for epilepsy treatment in India.

■ Supplied drugs like Remdesivir, Itolizumab, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), Favipiravir and Liposomal Amphotericin B in the Indian market for treatment of COVID-19 and associated ailments.