A major update has been released by the Indian Patent Office (IPO) that could significantly reshape the Indian pharmaceutical market. Novartis Vymada Patent Revoked in India. The IPO has revoked/canceled the patent held by Novartis, the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical giant based in Basel, Switzerland, on its blockbuster cardiac drug Vymada (also known globally as Entresto). This decision is a significant development—not only does it pave the way for domestic manufacturers to launch low-cost generic versions, but it also promises to make life-saving treatments more affordable for India’s middle class, lower middle class, and economically vulnerable patients. But this news is more than just about cheaper medicines—if you want to know the deeper reasons and wider impact of this ruling, keep reading.
What Is the Background of Novartis’ Vymada Patent Battle in India?
Before diving into the patent battle and Novartis Vymada Patent Revoked, it is important to understand what Vymada is and why it has become the center of this debate. Vymada, marketed globally as Entresto, has been available in India for several years. It is a combination drug made up of two active ingredients—sacubitril and valsartan. Doctors prescribe it primarily for patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and in some cases, for those dealing with hypertension.
What makes Vymada stand out is not just its medical importance but also its commercial success. The drug has gained global recognition and has been one of Novartis’ most successful products. In 2024 alone, it generated more than USD 7.8 billion in worldwide sales, cementing its position as a blockbuster therapy and a key revenue driver for the Swiss pharmaceutical giant.
In India, Novartis lost its primary patent on Vymada in January 2023, which meant that domestic pharmaceutical companies were free to manufacture cheaper generic versions. Until then, the drug was being sold at an average of ₹540–₹600 per strip (₹40–₹45 per tablet)—a price considered costly for most Indian patients, particularly those from middle- and lower-income groups who need long-term treatment for heart failure. This posed a potential big revenue loss for Novartis in the Indian market.
To tackle this situation and maintain market exclusivity, Novartis had already done another patent filing in December 2022, just before the expiry of the original one. This follow-on patent claimed a “crystalline supramolecular complex” of the same active ingredients—sacubitril and valsartan. However, several Indian generic drugmakers, including Natco Pharma, Torrent Pharma, MSN Laboratories, and Eris Lifesciences, challenged this filing. They argued that Novartis was engaging in patent evergreening—a strategy where pharmaceutical companies seek additional patents for minor modifications, such as new forms, dosages, or formulations, to unlawfully extend monopoly protection and delay generic competition.
Read Also: Samsung Settles $279M Wireless Patent Lawsuit in U.S. After Jury Verdict
Why Novartis Vymada Patent Revoked By The IPO
The big twist came on September 12, 2025, when the Indian Patent Office (IPO) decided to cancel Novartis’ new patent for Vymada. After reviewing the case, the IPO said that the so-called new version of the drug was not really new, did not show any special improvement in treatment, and was not explained clearly enough in the application. The office also applied intellectual property rights(IPR) law, a rule that stops companies from getting fresh patents on small changes to old medicines unless those changes actually make the drug work better for patients. This decision supported the claims of Indian drugmakers, who argued that Novartis was just trying to stretch its monopoly and stop cheaper generic versions from coming into the market.
How Indian Pharma Companies Benefit from Novartis Vymada Patent Revoked
The cancellation of Novartis’ Vymada patent is a major win for Indian pharmaceutical companies. With the monopoly removed, leading domestic players like Natco Pharma, Torrent Pharma, MSN Laboratories, and Eris Lifesciences now have the green light to launch their own low-cost generic versions of the drug. This opens up a big market opportunity worth hundreds of crores, as Vymada has already proven to be one of the most successful heart failure medicines worldwide. By offering affordable alternatives, Indian drugmakers can not only boost their revenues but also strengthen their presence in the highly competitive cardiovascular segment. At the same time, patients stand to gain the most, as increased competition will drive down prices and make treatment far more accessible.
Conclusion
The rejection of Novartis’ Vymada patent marks a turning point for India’s drug market. While it is a setback for the Swiss pharma giant, it opens the door for Indian companies to bring in affordable generics and ensures that life-saving heart medicines become more accessible to millions of patients. This case also reinforces India’s commitment to balancing innovation with public health, sending a strong message that patient welfare will always come first.