Viatris Inc. has begun commercial sales of Inpefa (sotagliflozin) in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first country outside the United States and Europe to receive the drug. The launch expands Viatris’ portfolio of innovative cardiovascular medicines into a region with a high prevalence of heart failure and diabetes.
Inpefa is a dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor that has been approved in the U.S. and UAE to reduce cardiovascular death, heart‑failure hospitalizations, and urgent heart‑failure visits in adults with heart failure, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors. The drug’s efficacy is supported by two pivotal Phase 3 trials—SOLOIST‑WHF, which showed a 33 % reduction in heart‑failure hospitalizations, and SCORED, which demonstrated a 25 % reduction in composite cardiovascular outcomes.
The licensing agreement that granted Viatris exclusive rights to market sotagliflozin outside the U.S. and Europe was announced in October 2024. The UAE approval makes it the second country worldwide to authorize the drug, following the U.S. FDA approval in May 2023.
Strategically, the launch positions Viatris to capitalize on the Gulf’s growing cardiovascular market and aligns with the company’s “Next Chapter” plan to shift from a generics‑focused model toward a broader innovative pipeline. By entering the UAE, Viatris gains a foothold in a high‑hospitalization market and sets the stage for future launches in other Middle Eastern and Asian countries.
Corinne Le Goff, Viatris’ Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Heart failure is the world’s leading cause of hospitalization, and the launch of Inpefa in the UAE marks another important step as we continue to deliver innovative medicines for patients around the world.” Philippe Martin, Chief R&D Officer, added, “With its dual SGLT inhibition, Inpefa provides cardiologists with a unique therapeutic option that offers early benefit in reducing heart‑failure‑related outcomes, potentially playing a meaningful role in reducing healthcare burden.”
The UAE’s high hospitalization rates for heart failure create a sizable market opportunity for Inpefa. The drug’s early benefit profile and proven efficacy in reducing hospitalizations position it as a valuable addition to the limited therapeutic options available in the region, where competition is primarily among established SGLT2 inhibitors such as Jardiance, Farxiga, and Brenzavvy.
Overall, the launch of Inpefa in the UAE signals Viatris’ commitment to expanding its innovative cardiovascular portfolio beyond its traditional generics business, providing a new revenue stream in a high‑need market and reinforcing its strategy to grow in emerging markets.
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