Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has introduced its globally successful biologic therapy Ilumya (Tildrakizumab) in India, marking a major expansion of its specialty medicines portfolio in its home market. The launch brings to Indian patients a treatment that has already built blockbuster status across 35 countries, including the US.
A Significant Step in Sun Pharma’s Specialty Push
Ilumya is a next-generation IL-23 inhibitor used for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated disease that affects up to 2.8% of Indians. The drug has been central to Sun Pharma’s global specialty business, which reported $333 million in Q2FY26 revenue, rising 16.4% year-on-year. For the first time, the company’s innovative medicines outpaced its US generics portfolio a shift driven by products such as Ilumya, Cequa, Odomzo and Winlevi.
Ilumya’s entry into India follows Sun Pharma’s strategy of selectively introducing high-impact specialty therapies where market fit is strong. Cequa, its dry-eye disease treatment, made a similar transition into India in 2023.
Strong Clinical Outcomes in Indian Patients
The decision to launch was backed by compelling results from an India-specific Phase-3 clinical study involving 115 patients. Over 28 weeks, 93.9% achieved PASI 75, and 78.1% achieved PASI 90, indicating near-complete skin clearance. The therapy requires only three subcutaneous doses over 16 weeks, and was well tolerated with no immunogenicity concerns.
Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, said the drug offers a “safe and effective option for patients struggling with persistent disease activity,” adding that global data consistently show long-lasting improvements in skin clearance and quality of life.
Why This Matters
For many psoriasis patients, traditional treatments often fail in long-term control. Ilumya’s launch positions Sun Pharma as a key driver of advanced dermatology care in India while reinforcing the company’s growing contribution to global specialty pharmaceuticals.
Keep building. Keep learning. Keep growing with StartupByDoc.