Latest news with #Vonoprazan

Mint
27-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Mankind to expand gastro, derma presence, says MD Rajeev Juneja
Mankind Pharma is focused on expanding its presence in the gastrointestinal and dermatology segments this year, as it looks at expanding its presence in the chronic segments, managing director Rajeev Juneja toldMintin an interview. 'We are not great in the gastro [segment]...we have decided that we are supposed to work a lot in gastro because it has become semi-chronic, and our inclination is towards the chronic side," Juneja said, adding thatgastro in India is one of the fastest-growing segments. 'Along with this, we are working on derma as well," he said. The gastro segment grew 7.3% year on year in April, according to pharma intelligence platform Pharmarack. Further, Mankind is developing a novel anti-obesity and diabetes drug in-house. The drug candidate, GRP119, is currently in phase 2 trials in Australia, and Juneja said that results are expected in the next six to nine months. In FY25, Mankind signed a non-exclusive patent licensing agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to commercialise its novel drug Vonoprazan, to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Also Read: Sun Pharma to ramp up growth-boosting specialty portfolio in FY26 Juneja said that the company is evaluating all options to increase its presence in these therapy areas, including in-licensing products from innovators or small acquisitions. 'No past strategy can be guaranteed for future success. So we need to apply our mind and try to bring some kind of differentiation in whatever we do," said Juneja. 'The point is that once we decide that our intention is that we are supposed to be good on the gastro side, we start searching for avenues, we start searching for people, we start searching for products," he said. The company will also continue to strengthen its leadership in the women's health segment, which received a boost last year through its acquisition of Bharat Serum and Vaccines (BSV). With its foundation strengthened in FY25, Mankind aims to grow 1.2 to 1.3 times the Indian pharmaceutical market. Juneja said this will be driven by its focus on its chronic domestic formulations portfolio. Juneja said the focus is also on growing larger brands, from the current ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore brands for products to ₹500 crore brands. 'This is the strategy we basically want to pursue in future, because we have seen that once you create that kind of a brand, that's a very big entry barrier," he added. BSV acquisition Mankind is on track with the integration of BSV, which it acquired for ₹13,768 crore in October 2024. The integration will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and external debt. Juneja said the company focused on removing the 'extra flab" and bringing in the right talent for the acquired entity in FY25. This year, he expects 18-20% growth from the BSV portfolio. The goal is to increase the reach and awareness of BSV's niche super-speciality products. BSV is working on two biosimilars, the company's investor presentation highlighted, although Juneja declined to share more details on the BSV pipeline. Also Read: Emcure Pharmaceuticals to expand gynaecology, derma portfolio for India market in FY26 Vishal Manchanda, senior vice president of Institutional Equities at Systematix Group, toldMintthat BSV's platform and skillset for making recombinant drugs (created by inserting genes from one species into a host species) can be leveraged to make biosimilars. Select companies in India, including Biocon, are skilled at the recombinant process. However, Manchanda pointed out that Mankind has the potential to scale this up meaningfully. Innovation push 'If you're a pharma company, naturally, you gain respect once you have great R&D," Juneja said. 'We started our own R&D in Mankind 13-14 years back…going forward, we'll be putting a bit more money in the R&D side…our R&D expenses will increase because that would be the future need as well." 'We wish to become a bigger company…our dream is to become India's number one company on the domestic side," Juneja said, adding that 'we need to have certain innovative products, and we are working for that". Mankind's focus on innovation and speciality segments comes as the Indian pharmaceutical market has become more crowded. Most segments already have established market leaders. '…the promoters are realising that there is a challenge to growth. And they know the space they have been playing in is now kind of difficult to expand from where they are, meaningfully expand from where they are. So I think Mankind promoters being extremely committed to India business, they are also kind of prepared on how to take this forward," Manchanda said. 'What they are actually looking for is a bigger avenue to build growth on," he added, referring to Mankind's BSV acquisition. Internal corrections Mankind undertook several internal correction initiatives in the last year, including leadership changes and improving synergies between its divisions, Juneja said. Also Read: Zydus bets big on vaccines and medtech 'If you look at the history of Mankind, in 30 years, we have become the fourth largest company," Juneja said, adding that for any company growing very fast, there comes a time when growth plateaus. 'But once you bring commercial excellence, you bring people from outside…a number of flaws can come in front of you, and you have two choices: Either to remove those flaws gradually without affecting your sales and profit and growth, or second, do it immediately," Juneja said. 'We belong to the second category, and we decided that by March 2025, we'll clean up Mankind from every side," he added.
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Mankind Pharma Q4: Profit drops 10%, revenue up 27% on domestic growth
Delhi-based Mankind Pharma on Wednesday reported a 10 per cent fall in consolidated net profit for the March quarter of 2024-25 (Q4 FY25) at ₹424.65 crore from ₹476.59 crore in the same period last financial year. Mankind's revenue from operations rose to ₹3,079 crore in Q4, a 27 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) surge from ₹2,422 crore. At the operating level, Mankind's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) rose to ₹686 crore, with an Ebitda margin of 22.3 per cent in the March quarter. This compares to ₹589 crore and 24.3 per cent, respectively, in the same period last financial year. Commenting on the results, Rajeev Juneja, vice-chairman (VC) and managing director (MD), said the company has achieved a healthy revenue growth in Q4. This was driven by strong growth in chronic therapies, recovery in the consumer segment and consolidation of Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV), he added. According to the company, its share in the domestic market increased from 4.4 per cent in March 2024 to 4.8 per cent as of March 2025. It was on account of BSV acquisition and leadership in the gynaecology segment. Mankind had completed the acquisition of 100 per cent stake in BSV for ₹13,768 crore in October 2024. The company reported that its domestic business revenues witnessed Y-o-Y growth of 18 per cent to ₹2,544 crore in the fourth quarter from ₹2,155 crore in Q4 FY24. 'Recent key launches like Empagliflozin, Inclisiran and Vonoprazan were among the top five in their respective categories,' the company said in its investor presentation. Mankind's consumer healthcare segment also reported a revenue growth of 14 per cent in Q4. The export business witnessed a growth of 100 per cent in the March quarter. It was driven by an increase in the base business and launches in the past one-two years, among others. The company declared its results after market hours. On Wednesday, Mankind Pharma's share went down marginally by 0.69 per cent, ending the day's trade at ₹2,533.03 on the BSE.


Los Angeles Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Beyond Stomach Pain: What You Need to Know About Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) isn't as common as it once was, but it's still something to take seriously. These ulcers—open sores in the lining of the stomach and small intestine—can cause significant health problems if left unchecked. While its prevalence in the U.S. has dropped over the last two decades, affecting about 1% of the population today [1], [6], it continues to pose a risk due to potential complications and evolving treatment challenges. Table of Contents A peptic ulcer forms when the protective lining of the stomach or duodenum gets damaged, allowing acid to create an open sore [3]. It often feels like a burning pain in the upper belly. Sometimes the pain comes and goes, and sometimes it gets worse after eating certain foods—spicy or acidic ones are frequent offenders. But here's the kicker: not everyone with an ulcer feels it. About two-thirds of patients have no obvious symptoms [2], which makes early detection tricky. Older adults especially may not get classic stomach pain, which means ulcers in this group often aren't found until they've done serious damage [7]. Forget the old wives' tales—stress or spicy food alone won't give you an ulcer. The real causes usually fall into two main categories: Other risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, certain other medications (like steroids or blood thinners), and rare conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which causes the stomach to produce too much acid [8]. Most people with peptic ulcers describe a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen. Others might experience bloating, nausea, or indigestion. If the ulcer starts to bleed, it can become a medical emergency, requiring immediate attention. If the ulcer starts to bleed, symptoms become more alarming—black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or sudden dizziness are all red flags [12]. Worse yet, ulcers can lead to serious complications: Doctors usually start with non-invasive tests if they suspect H. pylori. These include stool, breath, or blood tests, with the urea breath test being a common method to detect H. pylori. For patients with more serious or 'alarm' symptoms (like unexplained weight loss or vomiting blood), upper endoscopy is often the next step [5], [9]. Younger patients with mild symptoms are often treated using a 'test-and-treat' strategy that targets H. pylori directly [6]. If H. pylori is the culprit, treatment typically involves a mix of antibiotics and acid-reducing medication. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are the go-to drugs—they lower acid levels so ulcers can heal. These are also effective for ulcers not caused by H. pylori [14]. But long-term PPI use raises concerns. Research has linked extended use to issues like kidney damage and nutrient deficiencies, which is why newer treatments are gaining traction. Vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) that works faster and may be more effective than PPIs [11]. It provides strong, long-lasting acid control and is gaining attention as a promising option—especially as H. pylori grows more resistant to common antibiotics [10]. Today's peptic ulcer cases aren't always as straightforward as they used to be. Here's what's changing: These shifts are forcing healthcare providers to adapt, especially in the context of gastrointestinal and liver disease. Newer strategies for screening, treating, and monitoring high-risk patients are becoming the norm. Definitely. Lifestyle changes go a long way to prevent peptic ulcers. Avoiding unnecessary NSAID use, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress are great starting points. Eating a balanced diet and checking in with your doctor for recurring stomach issues can help catch ulcers early—before complications set in. If you've already been diagnosed, sticking with your treatment plan and attending regular follow-ups are essential. Many ulcers can be healed with proper care, but preventing recurrence is just as important as treating the first episode. Peptic ulcer disease might not grab headlines like it used to, but it's still a major player in digestive health. With better hygiene, smarter treatments, and a growing understanding of its causes, we're in a much better place than we were a few decades ago. But the rise of treatment-resistant bacteria, aging populations, and unexplained ulcer cases means we've got more work to do. Treating H. pylori is crucial not only for ulcer management but also to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. References 1. Vakil N. (2024). Peptic Ulcer Disease: A Review. JAMA, 332(21), 1832–1842. 2. Kavitt, R. T., Lipowska, A. M., Anyane-Yeboa, A., & Gralnek, I. M. (2019). Diagnosis and Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease. The American journal of medicine, 132(4), 447–456. 3. Tuerk, E., Doss, S., & Polsley, K. (2023). Peptic Ulcer Disease. Primary care, 50(3), 351–362. 4. Almadi, M. A., Lu, Y., Alali, A. A., & Barkun, A. N. (2024). Peptic ulcer disease. Lancet (London, England), 404(10447), 68–81. 5. Ramakrishnan, K., & Salinas, R. C. (2007). Peptic ulcer disease. American family physician, 76(7), 1005–1012. 6. Bailey J. M. (2024). Gastrointestinal Conditions: Peptic Ulcer Disease. FP essentials, 540, 16–23. 7. Najm W. I. (2011). Peptic ulcer disease. Primary care, 38(3), 383–vii. 8. Narayanan, M., Reddy, K. M., & Marsicano, E. (2018). Peptic Ulcer Disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. Missouri medicine, 115(3), 219–224. 9. Dore, M. P., & Graham, D. Y. (2008). Gastritis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease. Minerva medica, 99(3), 323–333. 10. Lanas, A., & Chan, F. K. L. (2017). Peptic ulcer disease. Lancet (London, England), 390(10094), 613–624. 11. McConaghy, J. R., Decker, A., & Nair, S. (2023). Peptic Ulcer Disease and H. pylori Infection: Common Questions and Answers. American family physician, 107(2), 165–172. 12. Mynatt, R. P., Davis, G. A., & Romanelli, F. (2009). Peptic ulcer disease: clinically relevant causes and treatments. Orthopedics, 32(2), 104. 13. Malfertheiner, P., Chan, F. K., & McColl, K. E. (2009). Peptic ulcer disease. Lancet (London, England), 374(9699), 1449–1461. 14. Brooks F. P. (1985). The pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease. Digestive diseases and sciences, 30(11 Suppl), 15S–29S.