Viatris launches heart failure drug Inpefa in UAE

Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) announced the launch of Inpefa (sotagliflozin) in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first commercialization of the heart failure treatment within Viatris territories outside the U.S. and Europe.

The company plans additional launches across multiple countries over the next several years. Viatris obtained exclusive licensing rights to sotagliflozin in all markets outside the U.S. and Europe through an agreement with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: LXRX) in October 2024.

Inpefa is approved in the U.S. and UAE to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits in adults with heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors. The drug functions as a dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor.

The approval is based on two Phase 3 trials involving more than 11,800 patients. In the SOLOIST-WHF trial, Inpefa reduced the composite risk of heart failure hospitalization, urgent visits, and cardiovascular death by 33% versus placebo in patients recently hospitalized for worsening heart failure. The SCORED trial showed a 25% reduction in the same composite endpoint among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Viatris has submitted regulatory filings in Canada, Australia and Mexico, with plans to expand global submissions in coming years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved sotagliflozin in May 2023.

Heart failure affects more than 64 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of hospitalization globally, according to the company statement.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Air Canada sells 25% stake in Aeroplan for $2.5 billion
• Ferguson prices $1.2 billion in senior unsecured notes offering
• SINTX Technologies issues revenue outlook and mid-year update