Zydus acquires six brands from MSD in India

The brands bought by Zydus Healthcare in the deal are Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Sustanon, Multiload, Sicastat and Axeten which are expected to strengthen the global pharmaceutical group’s portfolio in key therapeutic sectors.

As per the terms, Zydus Healthcare holds the distribution and commercialization rights as well as assignment of trademarks of all the six brands in India.

Zydus Healthcare chairman Dr. Sharvil Patel said: “We have a longstanding association with MSD in India and value them as a partner. The brands with their strong equity are a perfect addition and complement our core business and brands.

“We look at this as a great opportunity to strengthen our core offerings to create value and growth.”

The brands divested by MSD, the name of Merck outside the US and Canada, had earned a combined sales revenue of INR840m ($12.3m) in 2015.

Besides the Indian transaction, MSD’s another subsidiary Organon (India), has also transferred the Nepal distribution and commercialization rights for Deca-Durabolin and Durabolin to Zydus Healthcare.

Both Deca-Durabolin and Durabolin are considered to be among the commonly prescribed drugs in osteoporosis and muscle wasting treatments as well as in management of negative nitrogen balance, said Zydus.

On the other hand, Sustanon is related to men’s health segment, used by general practitioners, consultant physicians and andrologists as a testosterone replacement therapy.

While Axeten is an antihypertensive brand, Sicastat finds its usage in wound management.

The other acquired brand, Multiload is an IUD device which is likely to broaden the offerings of Zydus when it comes to women’s contraceptives.

Zydus said that it intends to make the acquired brands available and also grow them significantly in the coming years.

Image: Zydus Healthcare acquired six brands from MSD. Photo: courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn and Freedigitalphotos.net.