In a move aimed at improving affordability of its high-cost heart drug Sybrava (inclisiran), Novartis India has launched a zero-interest EMI scheme in partnership with payment platform Pine Labs. This marks a first-of-its-kind pricing strategy in India’s pharmaceutical sector, designed to improve access to the next-generation injectable cholesterol-lowering therapy.

Key highlights

New pricing and payment options introduced

• Each dose of Sybrava is priced at ₹1.2 lakh; EMI scheme breaks this into ₹15,000–16,000 monthly instalments.

• Patients receive the first dose (loading dose), followed by a second dose after 90 days, then repeat every 6 months.

• Novartis is also offering a “buy one, get one” model: second injection is free with the first dose (to be paid in full via EMI).

Strategic partnerships to boost reach

• Novartis has licensed the marketing of inclisiran to Mankind Pharma (Crenzlo), JB Pharma (Izirize), and Lupin (Tilpazan).

• Mankind Pharma is exploring patient assistance programs to further improve affordability.

Market response and adoption

• Over 3,000 Indian patients are currently on the treatment.

• In the first year since launch, inclisiran recorded ₹7.7 crore in cumulative sales across partners, as per PharmaTrac.

Medical positioning and expert opinions

• Inclisiran is not a statin replacement, but a next-line option for patients with statin intolerance or resistance.

• Dr Nihar Mehta (Jaslok Hospital) praised its potential as a game-changer in treating arterial blockages.

• Dr Ganesh Kumar AV (LH Hiranandani Hospital) cautioned that its use may be limited to a very small subset of patients, noting fewer than 10 prescriptions in his cohort of 2,000 cardiac patients.

Novartis’ flexible payment strategy could redefine pricing innovation in India’s specialty pharma space. While the clinical role of inclisiran continues to be debated among cardiologists, the EMI-based affordability model signals a broader industry shift towards financial accessibility in chronic disease care.