India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 15 April 2025
For almost 20 years, Lantus has been the backbone of diabetes care in India, relied upon by physicians and patients alike for its once-daily insulin administration and established efficacy. Now, Sanofi,a leading French pharma company, wants to sell off this legendary brand, reducing its price tag from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 2,000 crore to tempt Indian pharma giants. Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Glenmark, and Emcure have been said to be in contention, ready for what could be the most valuable brand deal in Indian pharmaceutical history.
Lantus has traditionally ruled the market with its convenience and dependability. But in recent years, the going has gotten tough. The 21% price reduction ordered by the Indian government in 2023 has ruined the margins, and new innovations such as once-weekly Insulin injections challenge its market position. In spite of these challenges, Lantus is still a high performer, posting Rs 426 crore worth of sales in the 12 months up to February 2025, based on PharmaTrac data. This number, not including government and institutional sales, indicates the brand's real market size might be even higher. Nevertheless, sales have come down from Rs 588 crore in 2022, indicating a changing environment.
Sanofi’s decision to sell Lantus aligns with a broader strategic pivot. The company is doubling down on newer patented drugs and its consumer healthcare arm, Opella.The company has been actively strengthening its India footprint through new product launches and partnerships. Last year, it introduced Soliqua, a combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide designed to regulate blood sugar and aid weight loss. The company formed alliances with Emcure for cardiovascular drugs, Dr. Reddy’s for vaccines, and Cipla for neurology treatments. By selling off Lantus, Sanofi seems to be making room for these high-growth segments.
Though neither confirmed nor denied by Sanofi, sources confirm the company would consider a total transfer of the brand or it might have a licensing arrangement instead. For Indian companies, the Lantus acquisition provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to monopolize the nation's insulin market, which is expanding 6% each year amidst escalating diabetes rates. With over 100 million diabetes patients in India, established insulin brands like Lantus remain highly attractive to domestic drugmakers seeking to strengthen their chronic care portfolios.
The insulin market is already highly competitive. Novo Nordisk dominates with six of India's top ten insulin brands, with Indian players such as Eris, which picked up Biocon's Basalog last year, quickly narrowing the gap. A successful purchase of Lantus would transform this balance, making the buyer a dominant force in a high-stakes industry
As the negotiations are in progress, Lantus's sale is the end of an era for Sanofi in India. For the company itself, it could spell the beginning of a new, bold chapter in Indian ownership
