Emcure Pharma Signs Pact to Distribute Roche’s Nephrology and Transplant Drugs in India

The partnership will allow Emcure to distribute select Roche therapies for chronic kidney disease, anaemia management and transplant care across India.

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Indian drugmaker Emcure Pharmaceuticals has entered into a distribution agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche to market select nephrology and transplant medicines in India, a move aimed at expanding patient access to specialised therapies for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and organ transplant care.

Under the agreement, which will take effect from April 1, 2026, Emcure will distribute Roche’s established brands in the nephrology and transplant medicine segment across the country.

The collaboration focuses on improving availability of therapies used in CKD-related anaemia management and transplant treatment, areas where demand for specialised medicines continues to grow.

Key therapies included in the agreement

The agreement covers several established Roche medicines used in nephrology and transplant care.

These include CellCept, an immunosuppressant widely used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation, and Mircera and Neorecormon, therapies used to treat anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease.

Mircera, for instance, is a long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that can be administered once every two to four weeks, offering a longer dosing interval for patients undergoing treatment for CKD-related anaemia.

By distributing these products through its network, Emcure aims to make the therapies accessible to a broader patient base across India.

Strategic alignment between the two companies

The partnership reflects a strategic alignment between the companies’ therapeutic focus areas.

Emcure has a strong presence in anaemia management, nephrology and chronic kidney disease segments, while Roche’s nephrology and transplant medicines bring established global therapies into the collaboration.

Commenting on the agreement, Satish Mehta, Managing Director and CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, said the collaboration builds on the company’s efforts to strengthen its renal and anaemia treatment portfolio.

“This partnership with Roche is a natural extension of Emcure’s commitment to improving outcomes in anaemia and renal care,” Mehta said, adding that Roche’s innovations complement Emcure’s existing portfolio and distribution reach.

Expanding patient reach through distribution network

Roche executives said the collaboration could help increase the reach of these therapies through Emcure’s nationwide distribution and physician engagement network.

Rajji Mehdwan, Managing Director and CEO of Roche India and Neighbouring Markets, said the partnership is expected to help more patients benefit from Roche’s long-standing innovations in kidney and transplant care.

“Through Emcure’s strong distribution network and clinical engagement, we believe these medicines can reach a larger number of patients,” Mehdwan said.

Rising need for CKD and transplant therapies in India

The collaboration comes at a time when India is witnessing a rising burden of chronic kidney disease and increasing demand for transplant care.

Expanding access to medicines for anaemia management in CKD and immunosuppressive therapies after transplantation is seen as an important component of improving long-term outcomes for patients undergoing renal treatment.

By combining Roche’s established medicines with Emcure’s domestic market reach, the partnership aims to strengthen the availability of specialised therapies for nephrology and transplant care across India.