Cipla, India’s leading respiratory market player, is intensifying its focus on lung health as air pollution and respiratory diseases emerge as pressing public health concerns. On November 27, the company inaugurated the Breathefree Lung Wellness Centre in Delhi, a first-of-its-kind facility integrating diagnostics, patient education, clinician training, and real-world research under one roof.

Comprehensive Diagnostics and Training
The centre offers advanced respiratory diagnostics, including spirometry, oscillometry, nitric oxide measurement (FeNO), diffusing capacity (DLCO), phlegmography, CPET, X-ray, CT scans, sleep apnea tests, and six-minute walk tests. It also serves as a training hub for clinicians and technicians, addressing critical skills gaps in respiratory care.

Leadership and Expansion
Cipla’s COO, Achin Gupta, who will become MD & Global CEO-designate on January 1, emphasized the need for early diagnosis to reduce long-term disease burden. Delhi is the first of several planned centres, with Mumbai likely next, aiming to replicate and improve the model across metros.

Market Context and Strategy
India has an estimated 100 million people with lung conditions, yet only about 10% receive adequate treatment. Cipla holds around 25% market share in the respiratory segment, which reached ₹18,520 crore MAT in October, growing at a 9% five-year CAGR. Key products include Levosalbutamol + Ipratropium, Budesonide, and Salbutamol.

Innovation and Digital Solutions
Cipla continues to push respiratory innovation, highlighting products like SynchroBreathe (breath-actuated inhaler), multi-dose dry powder inhalers with triple therapy, and Spirofy, a handheld spirometry device. The company has also developed CipAir, a mobile app for early asthma screening, and is exploring inhaled insulin as well as biosimilars, mRNA, and monoclonal antibody collaborations.

Patient-Centric Approach
Gupta underlined Cipla’s holistic strategy: create awareness, improve diagnostics, provide solutions, and support rehabilitation. Despite being a market leader, Cipla aims to overcome challenges like low diagnosis rates, poor treatment quality, and weak adherence, while promoting the safe use of inhalers through campaigns like ‘Berok Zindagi’.

Growth Milestone
Cipla recently overtook Abbott to become India’s second-largest pharmaceutical company by market share, driven by a focus on chronic therapies, diabetes, and weight management, with India remaining a key strategic market.