Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. announced that it has entered into an agreement with CVS Caremark to add ZituvioTM, ZituvimetTM and ZituvimetTM XR (Sitagliptin | Sitagliptin and Metformin Hydrochloride) tablets to its template formulary. CVS Caremark will add Zydus' ZituvioTM and combination products to its template formulary starting January 1, 2025. Zituvio and combination products include Zituvio TM (sitagliptin), ZituvimetTM (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) and ZituvimetTM XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets.

These three NDAs of Sitagliptin (base) and combination franchise have been approved by the USFDA earlier through the 505(b)(2) route. The Zituvio range of products contain active ingredients sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, and metformin hydrochloride (HCl), a biguanide, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolic and lifestyle conditions, such as diabetes have been a significant contributor to prescription drug growth over the last decade.

According to IQVIATM (MAT Aug-2023), U.S. market for DPP-IV inhibitors and their combinations is USD 10 billion.