AstraZeneca Pharma India and Sun Pharma ink partnership for Hyperkalaemia treatment in India

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AstraZeneca Pharma India and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries have 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 Authorisation along with the import license of the molecule. 

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.

Prevalence estimates suggest that Hyperkalaemia occurs in up to 50% of patients with CKD and 42% of patients with chronic HF. To manage or prevent recurrence, RAAS inhibitor therapy is often reduced or discontinued, which may compromise cardiorenal outcomes and increase mortality risk. In India, mortality associated with Hyperkalaemia has been reported at 22.2%. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) offers a rapid, effective, and generally well‑tolerated treatment option for the management of Hyperkalaemia.