Archive · 17 Nov 2025
AstraZeneca, Sun Pharma Team Up Again for Hyperkalemia Drug
Two big drug companies in India, AstraZeneca and Sun Pharma, are teaming up again for a medicine called SZC.
This medicine helps people whose blood has too much potassium, a condition called hyperkalemia, which often happens to people with kidney or heart problems.
AstraZeneca will sell it as Lokelma, and Sun Pharma will sell it as Gimliand.
They are working together to make sure more people who need this medicine can get it.
Sun Pharma has a large team that helps get medicines to doctors and patients all over India.
AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced a second brand partnership for Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) in India.
SZC treats hyperkalemia, prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF).
AstraZeneca will market SZC as Lokelma, Sun Pharma as Gimliand, with both companies promoting, marketing, and distributing it.
AstraZeneca retains intellectual property rights, marketing authorization, and import license for SZC.
Partnership aims to expand therapy reach and increase patient access.
- Who
- AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
- What
- Announced a second brand partnership for the hyperkalemia drug Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)
- When
- November 17, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To expand the reach of the vital therapy and increase accessibility to innovative treatments for hyperkalemia in patients with CKD and heart failure.
Existing Summary
New Article
Partnership Details
Existing Summary
The existing summary implies a single partnership mentioned.
New Article
The new article clarifies this is a 'second brand partnership' for SZC.
Branding and Marketing
Existing Summary
The existing summary states AstraZeneca will market SZC as Lokelma and Sun Pharma as Gimliand.
New Article
The new article reiterates this branding and adds that both companies will promote, market, and distribute SZC under these different names.
Intellectual Property and Authorization
Existing Summary
The existing summary notes AstraZeneca retains IP and marketing authorization.
New Article
The new article confirms AstraZeneca retains intellectual property rights, Marketing Authorisation, and the import licence for the molecule.
Condition Context
Existing Summary
The existing summary mentions Hyperkalemia affects patients with CKD and heart failure.
New Article
The new article elaborates that Hyperkalemia disproportionately affects patients with CKD and heart failure receiving RAAS inhibitor therapy, estimating its occurrence in up to 50% of CKD patients and 42% of chronic HF patients.
Company Size and Reach
Existing Summary
The existing summary does not mention Sun Pharma's field force.
New Article
The new article highlights Sun Pharma's 15,000-strong field force across chronic therapies and the acute segment.
- Companies Involved
- AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
- Drug Names
- Lokelma (AstraZeneca), Gimliand (Sun Pharma)
- Condition Treated
- Hyperkalemia
- Affected Patient Groups
- Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Heart Failure (HF), particularly those on RAAS inhibitor therapy
- Partnership Type
- Second brand partnership for co-marketing, promotion, and distribution
- Intellectual Property Holder
- AstraZeneca
- Marketing Authorisation Holder
- AstraZeneca
- Sun Pharma's Field Force Size
- 15,000-strong
