India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 06 October 2026
Glenmark's adapalene 0.1 percent has entered the US over-the-counter (OTC) market in new pump packs, bringing an established topical retinoid back into focus in acne treatment.
The company stated that it can be compared with the active ingredient in Differin Gel 0.1 Percent.
The development, however, is more relevant to pharma than a packaging-led launch: adapalene remains an important first-line topical therapy for mild-to-moderate acne, including in Indian clinical practice.
The development also offers a lens into Glenmark’s longstanding dermatology capabilities and the relevance of topical acne therapies for India.
Adapalene is a topical retinoid used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Glenmark’s US product contains adapalene USP 0.1 percent.
Adapalene remains part of the therapeutic toolkit for acne vulgaris, a condition where topical therapies can play an important role, particularly in milder disease.
A recent India-focused expert consensus, PRACT-India, identifies topical retinoids as first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate acne and lists adapalene 0.1 percent as the preferred topical retinoid because of its efficacy and tolerability profile.
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For India, the significance of adapalene lies in its established position among topical retinoids.
Indian dermatology practice includes topical retinoids as an important component of acne management, alongside other topical and systemic approaches depending on disease severity.
Adapalene is particularly relevant because acne treatment is not limited to reducing active lesions. Appropriate management can also help prevent new lesions and reduce the risk of longer-term complications such as scarring and persistent pigmentation.
The clinical focus also needs to include appropriate use. Glenmark’s US label advises limiting sun exposure and consulting a doctor during pregnancy or breastfeeding, while noting that acne can temporarily appear worse during the early weeks of treatment.
Topical retinoids remain important because acne involves abnormal follicular keratinization as well as inflammation. Retinoid-based treatment can therefore address mechanisms involved in the development of acne rather than functioning simply as a spot treatment.
For patients, however, tolerability and adherence remain important. Early irritation can discourage continued treatment, making patient counseling and appropriate treatment selection relevant parts of dermatology care.
This is where established molecules such as adapalene continue to have a role even as newer dermatology therapies emerge.
The US adapalene launch also fits within Glenmark’s broader dermatology portfolio. The company identifies dermatology as one of its key therapeutic areas, covering conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and fungal infections.
Its dermatology activities extend across established treatments and newer therapies, giving the company exposure to multiple areas of skin disease management.
A notable recent example is Winlevi (clascoterone 10 mg/g cream), which Glenmark launched in key European markets in June 2026 for the treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and adolescents aged 12 and above.
Glenmark describes clascoterone as a topical androgen-receptor inhibitor that acts locally in the sebaceous glands to reduce sebum production and inflammation.
The contrast between the two products is particularly relevant from a pharma perspective. Adapalene is an established topical retinoid, while clascoterone represents a newer mechanism for acne management.
The latest adapalene development therefore represents another international application of Glenmark’s dermatology capabilities rather than an isolated acne announcement.
The larger India takeaway is that established topical therapies continue to matter alongside newer treatment approaches.
The adapalene launch shows how a mature molecule can remain relevant in contemporary dermatology while pharmaceutical companies continue expanding their portfolios.
For Glenmark, the development also highlights the connection between its Indian pharmaceutical base and international dermatology operations.
For Indian patients and clinicians, the more important question remains how established therapies such as adapalene can be used appropriately within broader, evidence-based acne management.
Glenmark’s latest US launch therefore puts the spotlight not simply on another product, but on the continuing pharmaceutical relevance of topical retinoids in acne care and India’s evolving dermatology landscape.
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