Sun Pharma and Merck Establish Joint Venture to Develop and Commercialize Novel Formulations and Combinations of Medicines

Merck & Co., Inc., a global health care leader, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada,and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (“Sun Pharma”) a leading Indian multinational pharmaceutical company, today announced the creation of a joint venture to develop, manufacture and commercialize new combinations and formulations of incrementally innovative, branded generics in the Emerging Markets.

“Merck’s Emerging Markets strategy is driven by our overarching focus on applying innovation across our business from introducing novel compounds to broadening our focus on innovative branded generics,” said Kevin Ali, president, Emerging Markets, Merck/MSD. “By combining forces with Sun Pharma, we are complementing our innovative product portfolio with a solid foundation for addressing the diverse needs of patients, physicians and governments across the Emerging Markets.”

 

The partnership combines Sun Pharma’s proven track record of leadership and expertise in rapid, innovative product development using Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd’s (“SPARC”) proprietary platform technologies, and Sun Pharma’s world-class manufacturing network with Merck’s clinical development and registration expertise and a broad, geographic commercial footprint. The companies said that they will focus on ‘innovative branded generics,’ that bring together combinations of medicines using platform delivery technologies designed to enhance

convenience for patients in Emerging Markets. The joint venture will be structured through Merck and Sun Pharma’s respective subsidiaries. Financial details of the joint venture were not disclosed.

 

“This joint venture reinforces our strategy of partnering to launch products using our highly innovative delivery technologies around the world,” said Dilip S. Shanghvi, chairman and managing director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. “Merck has an unrivalled reputation as a world leading, innovative, research-driven pharmaceutical company. We’re proud to be associated with them and look forward to working together.”