Abbott to Distribute MSD’s Sitagliptin Diabetes Medicines in India

Abbott and MSD Pharmaceuticals have entered into a distribution agreement under which Abbott will distribute MSD’s sitagliptin-based oral anti-diabetic medicines in India. The deal includes the original sitagliptin formulation and its combinations with metformin, sold under the brand names Januvia, Janumet, and Janumet XR.

Abbott to Use In-Country Distribution Network

Abbott will leverage its established distribution infrastructure to supply these medicines across India. The partnership was announced in a joint statement issued during the Paris Air Show. Details of the agreement have been submitted for employee consultations.

Product and Patent 

Sitagliptin, a Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP-4), was launched in India in 2008 and is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. The patent for sitagliptin expired in India in July 2022, leading to an increase in generic versions and price competition. Despite this, MSD’s original brands continue to maintain a notable share in value terms within the market.

Market Size and Category Share

India’s oral anti-diabetic market is estimated to be worth ₹12,500 crore. Within this, DPP-4 inhibitors account for around ₹4,000 crore. Sitagliptin continues to be a widely used treatment and holds over 60% of the global market share in this category.

Read more: Abbott India Q4 FY25 Earnings Results: Profit jumps 28% YoY to ₹367 Crore!

India’s Diabetes Burden

India has over 101 million people currently living with diabetes, and an additional 136 million individuals who are considered pre-diabetic. The disease falls under the broader category of non-communicable diseases, which account for around 60% of all deaths in India.

Availability of Medicines

The agreement is intended to ensure continued access to the Januvia portfolio across the country through Abbott’s operational reach. Both companies noted that the sitagliptin range has been available in India for over 17 years.

Abbott India Share Price Performance 

As of 10:25 AM on June 19, 2025, Abbott India share price was trading at ₹31,755, a 0.60% increase; the stock has increased 8.37% over the past 6 months and 17.39% over the past year.

Conclusion

The Abbott-MSD arrangement focuses on distribution continuity and operational scale following the loss of exclusivity of MSD’s sitagliptin brands in India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.