Lupin looks to build Antara brand in US with new launches

Drug-maker Lupin is set to market two additional strengths of its cholesterol-lowering drug Antara (fenofibrate) in the US.

The new launches are part of the company’s strategy to help build the brand, said Managing Director Nilesh Gupta, particularly since there already is a generically-similar version in the market.

Lupin has between two-thirds to three-fourth of the prescription market, between its own brand and the authorised generic it makes for the innovator company, but the price has been down with the entry of a generic competition, he said.

Earlier this year, generic drug major Mylan won the right to sell its generically similar version of the drug in the US.

But with the two additional strengths, Lupin will be able to build the Antara brand by revisiting doctors and promoting the drug, Gupta said, without making any financial projections. The brand clocked sales of about $ 65 million, according to industry estimates. The total fenofibrate market in the US is pegged at about $ 1.5 billion.

Lupin’s latest approval is to sell 30 mg and 90 mg strengths on the drug. It already promotes Antara capsules in the 43 mg and 130 mg strengths.

In 2009, Lupin had bought Antara from Oscient Pharmaceuticals, which had filed for bankruptcy. It paid about Rs 185 crore for the product and related assets and inventory.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in