AstraZeneca Pharma India has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with New Delhi- based Mankind Pharma for its budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate (inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist combination) brand Symbicort in India.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will retain intellectual property rights and remain the Marketing Authorization Holder and importer, while Mankind Pharma will be the exclusive distributor leveraging its vast pan-India distribution network.
This partnership aims to improve access to AstraZeneca’s innovative asthma drug Symbicort and its Turbuhaler dry powder inhaler device across India. With India contributing 13% to the global asthma burden but a disproportionate 43% of asthma deaths, there is a clear need to enhance asthma management in the country.
Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, AstraZeneca India’s Country President and managing director, highlighted the company’s aspiration to lead in specialist disease areas and transform patient outcomes sustainably. He expressed excitement about accelerating access to their asthma drug and efficient Turbuhaler device through this partnership with Mankind Pharma.
Mankind Pharma’s extensive distribution capabilities, with around 16,000 field force members and over 13,000 stockists across India, position it strongly to ensure availability of quality pharmaceuticals even in rural areas.
He highlighted Symbicort’s dual mechanism of action and ease of use through a single inhaler as beneficial for asthma patients. Mankind aims to leverage its outreach to strengthen urban and rural access for Symbicort, exemplifying its patient-first ethos.
Globally, AstraZeneca is a leader in respiratory care and immunology, aiming to transform care for debilitating respiratory and immune-mediated diseases. In India, it aspires to be the top respiratory biologics company, moving beyond symptom control to disease modification, remission, and potentially cures.
