India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Today’s pharma news highlights major drug launches, drug approvals and financial developments across respiratory care, obesity treatment and generic medicines.
Zydus Lifesciences has launched a once-daily nebulised treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in India, adding a new option for patients who need nebulised therapy.
Eli Lilly has secured UK approval for its oral GLP-1 medication Foundayo for weight management and type 2 diabetes. This intensifies competition in the growing oral obesity-drug market.
AstraZeneca India reported a 32 per cent fall in quarterly profit despite 30 per cent revenue growth, while Lupin received US FDA approval for sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, targeting a US market worth USD 568 million.
Zydus Lifesciences has launched REVAHALE in India as a once-daily nebulised long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for maintenance treatment of COPD. The launch marks the availability of India's first and only LAMA that combines once-daily dosing with nebulised administration. REVAHALE provides sustained 24-hour bronchodilation through a single daily dose.
The nebulised format offers an option for patients who struggle with inhaler-dependent therapies, including elderly patients and people with severe respiratory impairment. The treatment also addresses challenges associated with inhaler technique and adequate inspiratory flow. This drug launch strengthens Zydus' respiratory portfolio while adding another maintenance treatment option for COPD patients requiring nebulised therapy.
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Eli Lilly has received UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for Foundayo (orforglipron), an oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management and type 2 diabetes. The UK became the first European country to authorise the treatment.
Foundayo will launch in the UK later this month through private prescriptions and will not initially have NHS availability. Lilly plans to price the medicine below its injectable Mounjaro, which carries a private list price of £330 for a month's supply, although Lilly has not disclosed Foundayo's exact price.
The approval intensifies competition with Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy. Foundayo uses once-daily dosing without food or water restrictions, while oral Wegovy requires patients to take the medicine on an empty stomach with a small amount of water and wait 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other medicines. Lilly still awaits an EU decision on Foundayo.
AstraZeneca Pharma India reported a 32 per cent year-on-year decline in profit after tax to Rs 37.93 crore for the quarter ended June 2026. The company had reported Rs 55.83 crore in profit during the corresponding quarter last year.
Despite the profit decline, revenue from operations rose 30 per cent to Rs 682.79 crore, compared with Rs 526.31 crore a year earlier. Higher expenses affected profitability during the quarter.
“This performance builds on our strong track record of delivering a consistent double-digit growth over the last five years. Our focus remains on investing strategically in opportunities that support sustainable long-term value creation,” said Bhavana Agrawal, CFO and Director of the Company.
The company's oncology business remained the largest revenue contributor, with oncology sales rising 26 per cent to Rs 464 crore and accounting for nearly 70 per cent of total revenue. Biopharmaceutical therapies generated Rs 161 crore, while rare disease products contributed Rs 14 crore.
The results show strong commercial growth alongside pressure on profitability, making AstraZeneca's Q1 performance an important financial development.
Lupin has received US FDA approval for sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for oral suspension in 5 g/packet and 10 g/packet strengths. The product is bioequivalent to AstraZeneca's reference drug Lokelma and carries an indication for treating hyperkalemia in adults.
The approval gives Lupin access to a sizeable US generic opportunity. IQVIA data estimates annual US sales for the reference product at USD 568 million for the 12 months ended June 2026.
The drug approval adds another product to Lupin's US portfolio and expands its presence in specialized therapies. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate acts as a potassium binder and helps manage elevated potassium levels in adults.
Together, these latest drug launches and drug approvals show continued activity across respiratory medicine, metabolic disease and specialized generic therapies, while AstraZeneca India's results add a financial dimension to the latest pharma report.
