JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (JB Pharma) has announced a significant 50% price reduction for its critical heart failure drug, Azmarda (Sacubitril-Valsartan), aiming to make it more accessible and affordable for patients. The move brings down the monthly cost of the medication from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,200.

Acquiring the Azmarda brand in April 2022 from Novartis AG, Switzerland, JB Pharma's decision to cut the drug's price is expected to have a positive impact on patients grappling with heart-related issues. The drug, a patented molecule sold under the Azmarda brand, addresses a critical market need, with a 17% market share and a sales value of Rs 93.5 crore.

Following the reduction, Azmarda 50 mg will now be available at Rs 39.6 per tablet, compared to the previous price of Rs 78 per tablet. The drug, which is part of the larger Rs 500 crore market growing at a 30% CAGR, holds significant potential in managing heart failure conditions.

Dr Nitin Patki, Cardiology Associate at Melbourne Interventional Cardiologist, emphasized the prevalence of heart failure in India, accounting for 40% of the world's patients with this condition. Lack of drug adherence in India contributes to heart failure cases, with only around 50% of patients taking necessary medications.

Vikas Khare, Vice President and Head of the Chronic Cluster at JB Pharma, stated that the price reduction is expected to increase the drug's usage from the current 10% of heart failure patients to 2 to 2.5 times more. JB Pharma plans to compensate for the reduction through volume growth and better market penetration.

While the molecule is expected to go off-patent in January 2023, JB Pharma anticipates a growth window for its brand over the next couple of years due to the extension of the process patent for the molecule.

Additionally, JB Pharma plans to establish over 300 heart clinics across the country, with 30 of them in Maharashtra, aiming to facilitate early detection and timely treatment of heart conditions. This strategic move aligns with the company's broader expansion plans, including recent acquisitions such as Razel (Rosuvastatin) from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, reinforcing its presence in the cardiology segment and advancing towards a 60% share in the chronic segment.