Merck Serono teams with Lupin to bring drugs to emerging markets

The Mumbai, India-based drugmaker will develop formulations, provide product dossiers and supply up to 20 new finished products to Merck, building on an established partnership between the two firms, while expanding the German pharma company’s emerging market portfolio.

“The agreement with Lupin is an exciting new approach for Merck Serono to address local health needs in fast-growing regions with constantly increasing demand for high quality medicines from trusted companies,” said Merck spokesperson Elcin Ergun.

He added the deal covered major emerging markets including Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Philippines alongside other countries in Africa and Central Eastern Europe, and would position Merck “as one of the major players in emerging markets in.”​

Vinod Dhawan, Group President of Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East, & Latin America (AAMLA) at Lupin said his firm would provide “formulation development, manufacturing, supply chain and regulatory capabilities to produce a range of medications that meet local needs.”​

The first products are expected to be launched in 2016, and while Lupin will receive upfront and milestone based payments, further financial details have not been revealed.