Eli Lilly's to bet on original drugs to triple sales in India over next 5 years

NEW DELHI: American drugmaker Eli Lilly will bet on its original drugs as it aims to triple sales in India over the next five years. Unlike other foreign drugmakers, it plans to stay away from acquisition of local firms or branded generics to boost its market share.

Eli Lilly India CEO Sandeep Gupta said that instead of buying "a slew of branded generics" the company would consider selective alliances or collaborations to complement its portfolio. He said the company might consider an alliance for anti-diabetes oral hypoglycaemic agents (capsules or tablets), a segment in which it does not have a presence.

In July, the company had tied up with Mumbai-based Lupin Ltd, which will promote and distribute Eli Lilly's insulin range. Globally, the firm tied up with German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim earlier this year.