Mumbai-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched the sacubitril + valsartan tablets in India, for the treatment of heart failure. Marketed under the brand name ‘Sacu V’, it must be taken twice daily under doctor’s prescription. Its approved indication is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular related deaths and hospitalisations for patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Alok Malik, EVP & Business Head ‐ India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, “Heart failure is growing in India at an alarming rate; its prevalence is about 1% and affects around 8-10 million individuals."

The sacubitril-valsartan combination belongs to the class ARNI (Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor). These molecules have two therapeutic targets in the treatment of heart failure: 1) the natriuretic peptide (NP) system for sacubitril and the 2) Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) for valsartan. The use of sacubitril + valsartan has an established role in treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and has been endorsed by the latest heart failure treatment guidelines in Europe and the USA.

Glenmark’s Sacu V is priced at Rs 19 per tablet for a dose of 50mg (sacubitril 24mg + valsartan 26mg), Rs 35 per tablet for a dose of 100mg (sacubitril 49mg + valsartan 51mg), and Rs 45 per tablet for a dose of 200mg (sacubitril 97mg + valsartan 103mg).