Mushrooming Generics.Turn Affordable Lifeline

The Indian pharmaceutical market is witnessing a dramatic transformation following the patent expiry of Empagliflozin (sold under the brand name Jardiance by Boehringer Ingelheim) on March 11, 2025, used for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

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Jardiance (empagliflozin), a sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, was approved in 2014 for type 2 diabetes and later expanded to include heart failure and kidney disease indications. In 2023, the drug generated $8 billion in global sales, according to reports. The drug remains the leader in the SGLT2 inhibitor market, holding a substantial 31.2 per cent market share in 2025.

Following the patent expiry of Empagliflozin, multiple branded generics have flooded the Indian market in a short span, signaling one of the most competitive post-patent scenarios in recent years. For instance, on March 12, Alkem Laboratories announced the launch of Empanorm in India, a generic version of empagliflozin, for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic heart failure (HF). The product is priced approximately 80 per cent lower than the innovator drugs, making it more accessible to patients.