Sun Pharma to seek commercialisation partner for one of its specialty products

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is looking for a partner for the commercialisation of its prospective product MMII, indicated for pain in osteoarthritis, Dilip Shanghvi, Sun Chairman and Managing Director said, as the specialty products segment assumes a greater role in the drugmaker’s operations.

And as part of a strategic reassessment of its global specialty pipeline, Shanghvi added they would look at their Type 2 diabetes oriented product GLOO34, that has completed its Phase I clinical trial and is looking to commence Phase II in the second half of 2025. Its MMII has completed Phase II trials, the company said. Shanghvi was speaking to analysts following the announcement of its Q4-FY25 and annual results for the year ended March 31, 2025 (FY25).

The company clocked a 19 per cent dip in net profit at ₹2,149 crore for Q4, as compared to ₹2,654 crore in the year-ago quarter. Its gross sales was at ₹12,815 crore, a growth of 8.5 per cent. The company ended FY25, with a 12 per cent net profit growth at ₹10,929 crore (₹9,576 crore). Gross sales for the year stood at ₹52, 041 crore, up 9 per cent.

Need clarity

On recent directives from the US President Donald Trump and their impact on the company’s operations, Shanghvi said the industry was looking for greater clarity on how tariffs (yet to be announced for pharma) or the recently-announced MFN (most favoured nation) approach would play out. For most companies, branded products are priced differently in the US and Europe, he said, replying to a query on Sun’s own specialty product in the US and Europe. The company pegged additional spends in the coming year at $100 million. Shanghvi also said the company would look at an acquisition if it added value to its operations and the size of the acquisition was not a “put-off”.

Giving an overview of its business last year, he said, “Our businesses delivered a robust performance for the year, driven by improving market share in India and growth in Global Specialty. The near-term pipeline in global specialty is promising, with products such as Leqselvi and Unloxcyt—the latter through our recently announced Checkpoint acquisition—offering significant improvements in patient care. We look forward to Specialty becoming an increasingly important part of our business.”

Published on May 22, 2025