Sanofi India has rebuffed a report claiming that the company is looking to sell its key insulin brand, Lantus. In a stock exchange filing, the Indian arm of the French drugmaker stated that the article was "completely unfounded and incorrect."
Earlier, The Economic Times (ET) had reported that Sanofi was planning to sell Lantus and was in talks with major Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and Emcure Pharma, citing unnamed sources.
It also claimed that Sanofi had set a base price of around Rs 2,000 crore for the brand, revised down from an earlier expectation of approximately Rs 3,000 crore.
“The Company has no plans to divest, sell, or license its brand Lantus,” Sanofi India clarified in the filing dated April 16.
Sanofi added, “The Company adheres to the highest standards of corporate governance and always promptly discloses any material information as required under applicable regulatory provisions to the stock exchanges.”
Lantus Loses Market Share
Lantus has long been a leading treatment for diabetes in India, maintaining a strong market presence for nearly two decades. However, its dominance is increasingly under pressure.
Sales have declined in recent years, partly due to a 21% price reduction mandated by the government in 2023, which has squeezed profit margins. In addition, more advanced insulin formulations — such as once-weekly doses — are gaining popularity and could further erode Lantus’ market share.
Lantus recorded Rs 426 crore in sales on a moving annual turnover (MAT) basis for the 12 months ending February 2025, according to market research firm PharmaTrac. This marks a decline from Rs 588 crore in the same period in 2022.
India's insulin market is expanding rapidly, driven by a diabetic population exceeding 100 million. Consequently, well-established brands like Lantus are becoming increasingly attractive to domestic pharmaceutical companies.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharma giant, remains the leader in India’s insulin space, with six of the top ten insulin brands under its umbrella. The Indian insulin market, which features a wide range of products, is currently valued at just over Rs 4,500 crore and is growing at an annual rate of about 6%.
Lantus belongs to the insulin glargine class, known for its long-acting formulation that requires only a single daily dose. This gives it an advantage over older insulins that must be taken before meals or multiple times a day, making it a preferred choice for many patients.
Toujeo, another Sanofi product with a higher glargine concentration, is the second-best-selling brand in this segment in India, with MAT sales of Rs 140 crore as of February 2025. Among Indian competitors, Basalog — acquired by Eris Pharma through a recent deal with Biocon Biologics — is Lantus’ primary rival.
