Zydus Cadilla files application for anti-diabetes drug

Drug firm Cadila Healthcare Ltd said on Thursday its unit Zydus Cadila has filed the investigational new drug (IND) application for 'ZYDI', an anti-diabetic agent, with the Drug Controller General of India.

The drug has been designed and developed at the Zydus Research Centre and has demonstrated the beneficial effects in pre-clinical animal models on glucose reduction and weight loss, the filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange said.

"We believe that it holds promising commercial potential as a best-in-its-class candidate due to unmet medical needs in the treatment of diabetes," Zydus Cadila chairman and managing director Pankaj Patel said.

According to the company, the number of diabetics in the world is now estimated to be 246 million and is expected to increase rapidly to 380 million by 2025. At present, 41 million of the diabetic population lives in India and this is expected to rise to 70 million by 2025.

According to an estimate, by 2025, nearly half of the world's diabetic population will be from India, China, Brazil, Russia and Turkey.