Lupin Ltd announced the sale of its US commercial women’s health specialty business to Evofem Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in the United States dedicated exclusively to women’s health.
Lupin’s specialty in the US commercial women’s health sector revolves around promoting SOLOSEC (secnidazole) 2g oral granules. This FDA-approved antibiotic provides a complete treatment for both bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, addressing these prevalent sexual health conditions with a single-dose regimen. As per the terms outlined in the agreement, Lupin has the potential to receive a maximum total payment of $84 million contingent upon achieving future milestones.
Lupin’s President of Global Corporate Development, Dr Fabrice Egros, said, “We are very pleased to divest our US commercial women’s health specialty business, including SOLOSEC, to Evofem. This disposal is another step towards aligning our US specialist company with our strategy plan to grow our specialty business in therapeutic areas with synergistic building blocks. These include respiratory and neurological disorders.”
SOLOSEC represents a commercially feasible, single-dose oral antibiotic designed to effectively treat two prevalent infections related to sexual health.
CEO of Evofem, Saundra Pelletier said, “We can now fully use our commercial infrastructure, capitalise on our strong physician contacts, and relaunch an asset with significant growth potential.”
Lupin initially focused on producing vitamins but later diversified into manufacturing medications for tuberculosis. This strategic shift was driven by DBG’s goal to alleviate the impact of one of India’s most widespread and debilitating diseases, despite strict government pricing regulations on anti-TB drugs.