AstraZeneca Pharma India shares rose more than 3% in morning trade after the company, along with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, announced a renewed partnership to boost the availability of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) in India. This is the second brand collaboration between the two companies and is aimed at making advanced hyperkalaemia treatment accessible to a much larger patient population across the country.
As part of the agreement, both companies will promote and distribute SZC independently under their own brand names. AstraZeneca will continue to market the product as Lokelma®, while Sun Pharma will sell it under the brand name Gimliand®. Despite the dual-brand strategy, AstraZeneca will retain full control of the intellectual property, marketing authorization, and import licensing for the therapy.
Hyperkalaemia, which refers to dangerously high potassium levels, is a growing concern in India—especially among people with chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure. The condition is even more common in patients who rely on RAAS inhibitor therapy, a critical treatment that can itself elevate potassium levels. Studies indicate that nearly half of CKD patients and more than 40% of chronic heart failure patients in India experience hyperkalaemia. If left untreated, it often forces doctors to scale back or discontinue RAAS therapies, potentially worsening heart and kidney outcomes. India has also recorded mortality rates exceeding 22% related to the condition.
SZC has become an important treatment option because it provides fast, reliable, and generally well-tolerated control of elevated potassium levels. By combining AstraZeneca’s science-driven approach with Sun Pharma’s extensive market reach, both companies aim to expand access to this therapy in a more efficient and widespread manner.
Sun Pharma’s massive presence—supported by its strong prescription network and a 15,000-member field force—gives this partnership a significant push. Coupled with AstraZeneca’s commitment to innovative healthcare solutions, the collaboration is expected to strengthen hyperkalaemia management across India and help more patients receive timely and effective treatment.
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