AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited and Sun Pharma partner to help patients living with Hyperkalaemia in India

[BENGALURU/MUMBAI, INDIA] – [November 17, 2025] – AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited (‘AstraZeneca’), a leading science-led biopharmaceutical company (BSE : 506820, NSE : ASTRAZEN) and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715, “Sun Pharma” and includes its subsidiaries and/or associate companies), today announced a second brand partnership for Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) in India. This exclusive agreement is aimed at further accelerating availability of SZC, an innovative and highly effective treatment for Hyperkalaemia to more patients across India.

Under the agreement, both companies will promote, market & distribute SZC in India under different brand names; AstraZeneca will market SZC as Lokelma® whereas Sun Pharma will promote and distribute the therapy as Gimliand®. AstraZeneca will retain the intellectual property rights to SZC and hold the Marketing Authorization along with the import license of the molecule.

Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President & Managing Director AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited said, “At AstraZeneca, we aim to transform care with a focus on increasing early screening, diagnosis, and adoption of guideline-directed medical therapy to improve patient outcomes. This partnership with Sun Pharma for SZC reaffirms AstraZeneca's purpose to deliver innovative, life-changing medicines to patients with Hyperkalaemia across India, coupled with building robust pathways to reach patients in need. With this step, we are poised to significantly expand the reach of this vital therapy and help address the disease burden”.

Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited said, “We are delighted to join hands with AstraZeneca to address the growing challenge of Hyperkalaemia in India. The addition of SZC to our portfolio underscores our unwavering commitment to improving the care of patients with chronic kidney disease. As India’s largest pharmaceutical company and a leader in this therapy area, we remain focused on expanding access to innovative treatments that empower healthcare professionals and enhance the quality of life for patients.”

Hyperkalaemia is a clinically significant condition that disproportionately affects patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those with heart failure (HF) receiving renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor therapy, which can elevate serum potassium levels ^[1,2]. Prevalence estimates suggest that Hyperkalaemia occurs in up to 50% of patients with CKD and 42% of patients with chronic HF ^[3].  To manage or prevent recurrence, RAAS inhibitor therapy is often reduced or discontinued, which may compromise cardiorenal outcomes and increase mortality risk. ^[2,4]. In India, mortality associated with Hyperkalaemia has been reported at 22.2% ^[5]. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) offers a rapid, effective, and generally well‑tolerated treatment option for the management of Hyperkalaemia ^[6–9].

Sun Pharma is the largest pharmaceutical company in India, with an 8.3% market share¹⁰ and ranks No. 1 in prescriptions across 13 different doctor categories¹¹. With a 15,000-strong field force, the company leads in chronic therapies and maintains a strong presence in the acute segment.

Building upon AstraZeneca’s ambition to advance science, transform care and help manage life threatening conditions like Hyperkalaemia, this strategic step is a significant move in improving the management of Hyperkalaemia in India; promising enhanced availability to a crucial treatment and ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes nationwide.

Notes:

About AstraZeneca India
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in four therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory and Rare Disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Completing its 45 years in India, AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited is headquartered at Bengaluru, Karnataka in India and has a workforce of over 800 employees across the country committed to deliver great medicines to patients through innovative science and global excellence in development and commercialization. 

Marking its 45 years in India, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicine portfolio covers therapy areas including Oncology; Biopharmaceuticals (including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology); and Rare Disease in the country and is focused on transforming the future of healthcare by unlocking the power of what science can do for people, society and planet. To know more, please visit www.astrazeneca.com/india or follow us on LinkedIn. 

About Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. (CIN - L24230GJ1993PLC019050)
Sun Pharma is the world’s leading specialty generics company with a presence in specialty, generics and consumer healthcare products. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in India and is a leading generic company in the U.S. as well as global emerging markets. Sun Pharma’s high-growth global specialty portfolio spans innovative products in dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncodermatology and accounts for about 20% of company sales. The company’s vertically integrated operations deliver high-quality medicines, trusted by physicians and consumers in over 100 countries. Its manufacturing facilities are spread across six continents. Sun Pharma is proud of its multicultural workforce drawn from over 50 nations. For further information, please visit www.sunpharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn & X (Formerly Twitter).

References:

1. De Nicola L et al. Intern Emerg Med. 2024 Mar;19(2):295-306
2. Kuijvenhoven MA et al. Int J Clin Pharm. 2013 Dec;35(6):1099-104.
3. Epstein M et al. Am J Manag Care. 2015 Sep;21(11 Suppl):S212-S220.
4. AlSahow A et al. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2023 Mar;25(3):251-258.
5. Bharathi Ramesh et al. Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics 20(2):p 70-74, Apr–Jun 2024.
6. Kosiborod M et al. JAMA. 2014 Dec 3;312(21):2223-33.
7. Packham D et al. New Engl J Med. 2015; 372:222-31.
8. Ash S et al. Kidney Int. 2015; 88, 404-411.
9. Fishbane S et al. Poster presentation at: American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2017; November 2017; New Orleans, LA. Abstract #2759765
10. As per AIOCD AWACS data for 12 months ended June’25
11. As per SMSRC data for Mar-Jun’25

Contacts: AstraZeneca India

Contacts: Sun Pharma