Merck and India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries have collaborated regarding rights to Merck’s diabetes drug Januvia, according to Pharma Times.

Merck and Sun have signed “an India-specific strategic partnership agreement” which states Sun will have the right to market, promote and distribute the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitagliptin plus metformin), under different brand names.

K.G. Ananthakrishnan, managing director of Merck, Sharp & Dohme in India, indicated that the partnership will increase access to diabetic drugs in a country with “high disease burden of type 2 diabetes.”