Lupin Launches IVABRAD

Lupin Ltd. announced that it has received the DCGI approval to launch India's first selective and specific sinus node If channel inhibitor; IVABRAD (Ivabradine) which is now available in 5 mg & 7.5 mg tablets. IVABRAD comes from Pinnacle, Lupin's marketing division for specialty drugs in India. Lupin's IVABRAD is a new and innovative approach for the treatment of symptomatic chronic stable angina in CAD patients (Coronary Artery Disease). Stable angina is a common and disabilitating disease that significantly limits the quality of life of patients. It is observed that the traditional heart rate-lowering agents reduce the myocardial contractility, which is harmful when ventricular function is already impaired. Since the number of existing anti-anginal treatments have limitations and side effects, therefore there is a need for a drug which not only provides pure heart rate reduction without impairing other cardiac functions but also improves stable angina management. It is a new clinical entity and the first selective sinus node If channel inhibitor which reduces heart rate while maintaining myocardial contractility and Atrioventricular (AV) conduction. It is a new alternative indicated in the treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris in patients with normal sinus rhythm.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) of all ailments, the spurt in cardiovascular diseases has been the most steep and rapid. While mortality due to cardiovascular diseases has decreased by 60% in Japan and Finland, 50% in the US and 25% in Canada and Australia it is projected that mortality due to cardiac ailments will in fact increase by 100% in India by 2015. The number of people suffering from heart disease and ailments is expected to become 100 million by the year 2010.