AstraZeneca and Sun Pharma partner to expand hyperkalaemia treatment in India

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited announced a brand partnership on November 17, 2025, to promote, market, and distribute Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) in India. This agreement is expected to accelerate the availability of SZC, a treatment for hyperkalaemia, to more patients nationwide. AstraZeneca will market SZC as Lokelma®, while Sun Pharma will promote and distribute it as Gimliand®.

Under the terms, AstraZeneca will retain the intellectual property rights to SZC, hold the marketing authorisation, and manage the import license of the molecule. This strategic move aims to improve hyperkalaemia management in India by enhancing the availability of a crucial treatment.

Hyperkalaemia disproportionately affects patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF), with prevalence estimates suggesting it occurs in up to 50% of CKD patients and 42% of chronic HF patients. SZC offers a rapid, effective, and well-tolerated treatment option. Sun Pharma, India's largest pharmaceutical company with an 8.3% market share, leads in prescriptions across 13 doctor categories.