Zydus Partners with CVS Caremark to Expand Access to Diabetes Treatments

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd announced that it has formed a partnership with CVS Caremark to include Zituvio, Zituvimet, and Zituvimet XR tablets, which are utilized for diabetes treatment, in the latter's standard formulary. Zydus Lifesciences Ltd announced in a regulatory filing that CVS Caremark will include Zydus' Zituvio and combination products in its template formulary effective January 1, 2025.

A template formulary is an ever-evolving inventory of medications, products, and technologies supported by up-to-date evidence-based medicine and the expertise of physicians and other pertinent specialists in disease diagnosis, treatment, and health maintenance, according to NIH.

Zituvio and combination formulations consist of Zituvio (sitagliptin), Zituvimet (sitagliptin alongside metformin hydrochloride), and extended-release tablets Zituvimet XR (sitagliptin with metformin hydrochloride). The company stated that the USFDA had previously approved these three NDAs for Sitagliptin (base) and its combination franchise.

The Zituvio product line includes the active ingredients sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride (HCl), a biguanide, recommended as a supplement to diet and exercise to enhance glycemic control in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc President and CEO Punit Patel stated that the partnership significantly confirms Zydus' strategic investments in its new drug applications portfolio.

It "will set the way for further strengthening our portfolio of differentiated products in the US market", he added.

CVS Caremark is one of the most patient-centric healthcare solutions providers in the US, Patel said, adding that the partnership enhances the company's "commitment to improving access to high-quality medications to patients and meeting their healthcare needs with reduced outlays".