Lupin has announced a strategic collaboration with LABORATORIOS ERN S.A. (ERN), a well-established Spanish pharmaceutical company, for the launch of Luforbec (beclometasone/formoterol) 100/6, a fixed dose combination in a pressurized metered dose inhaler. According to the company's exchange filing on Monday, this collaboration represents another step in the Indian drugmaker's efforts to expand its respiratory portfolio across key international markets. Thierry Volle, President, EMEA and Emerging Markets at Lupin, stated that the Spain launch marks another milestone in the company's global respiratory expansion strategy, following successful introductions in the UK and Germany. The partnership combines Lupin's global respiratory expertise and proven pMDI manufacturing excellence with ERN's robust national reach and deep customer relationships.
The Luforbec inhaler is designed for the treatment of adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As reported by the company's exchange filing, Luforbec is a fixed-dose combination therapy comprising an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist. It is prescribed for patients whose asthma is not adequately controlled through inhaled corticosteroids alone and is also used in the treatment of severe COPD in patients with a history of repeated exacerbations. The therapy is delivered through a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) format. Luforbec is indicated for the regular treatment of asthma where a combination of inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist (ICS/LABA) is appropriate, including patients not adequately controlled with ICS and 'as needed' inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist, or those already controlled on both ICS and LABA. Additionally, it is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of severe COPD (FEV1 < 50% predicted normal) in patients with a history of repeated exacerbations who have significant symptoms despite regular therapy with long-acting bronchodilators. According to recent reports, this partnership targets over 3 million asthma and COPD sufferers in Spain, representing a significant addressable market opportunity for the Indian pharmaceutical giant.
Laboratorios ERN S.A. is a Spanish pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Barcelona and currently manufactures more than 28 million units per year. The company commercialises a portfolio of over 35 active pharmaceutical ingredients in Spain, providing a robust foundation for the collaboration. David Solanes, Chief Executive Officer of LABORATORIOS ERN, said the agreement provides an opportunity to expand into a new therapeutic segment while improving access to respiratory therapies in the Spanish market. By combining Lupin's manufacturing capabilities with ERN's local distribution network, the alliance seeks to deliver proven respiratory therapies to a broader patient population across Spain. The partnership allows Lupin to bypass the high costs of building an independent sales force while ensuring immediate reach into Spanish hospitals and pharmacies. By securing a foothold in a major EU market, Lupin reduces its geographic risk and increases the contribution of high-margin specialty products, with analysts typically viewing such diversification as a catalyst for P/E re-rating compared to pure-play generic firms.
Lupin shares traded marginally higher following the announcement, with the stock rising 0.20% or ₹4.60 to ₹2,272.30 on the NSE as of 12:36 PM IST on June 8, 2026, according to market data. The gains reflected positive investor sentiment around the company's continuing respiratory portfolio expansion and international commercial partnerships. The share has fallen 5% over the month but gained 8% on a year-to-date basis. Lupin has a total market capitalisation of ₹1.04 lakh crore as of June 8, 2026, according to data on the NSE. While the stock hit a 52-week high of ₹2,494 per equity share on May 7, 2026, it touched a year's low of ₹1,836.80 per unit on August 6, 2025. The company's strong financial performance is reflected in its consolidated profit after tax of ₹1,468.70 crore in Q4 FY26, up 87.72% from ₹782.40 crore in Q4 FY25, with net sales rising 32.9% to ₹7,391.91 crore in Q4 FY26 from ₹5,562.2 crore in Q4 FY25. In recent developments, Lupin has received USFDA approval for several complex generics, including Ganirelix Acetate Injection, and reported 12.5% YoY growth in its Q3 FY26 revenue, driven by strong performance in the India and North America markets.
