Novartis, a leading Switzerland based multinational pharma company, has informed that it has linked up with USV, a leading healthcare company to sell its anti- diabetic product Galvus in India.

According to the sources, the tie up with USV is a part of Novartis plans to pitch its proposed product against Merck's Januvia by pricing it lower - in the Indian anti-diabetic market which saw total sales of Rs 1,672 crore till June 2008.

Galvus is an oral anti-diabetic agent which is indicated for type two diabetes. Unlike insulin therapy, it works by increasing the body's ability to lower blood sugar levels.

JANUVIA is Merck's investigational oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor which is recommended in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

The source further revealed that at present, Merck's Januvia is available with a price tag of Rs 42 while Novartis is pricing Galvus at Rs 38.

While commenting on the tie up, Mr. Rajit Shahani, vice-chairman and MD of Novartis stated, "The diabetes market in India is large and Novartis looks to have a sizeable share of that segment. We are thus looking at several opportunities to make that happen."

According to the reports, Novartis will sell Galvus in the metros, while USV will market it in tier two and three cities.