MUMBAI: On World Diabetes Day, Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the 110-year-old Hinduja Group, announces that it has transformed the lives of 1,000+ underprivileged children across Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai through its Type 1 Diabetes Initiative (T1DI), a unique model that provides comprehensive medical, nutritional, and emotional care to the children free of cost.

Launched in April 2019, the Foundation set out to help underprivileged children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) lead healthy, fulfilling lives. In just six years, the initiative has significantly reduced hospitalisations and improved average HbA1c levels from 10.4% to 7.8%, among enrolled children. It has also strengthened families’ financial well-being and encouraged students to excel in state-level sports like archery and chess.

India currently ranks highest globally in the number of children living with T1D, with cases rising at nearly 6.7% annually, underscoring the urgent need for equitable, lifelong diabetes care.

“Type 1 Diabetes is not just a medical condition, it’s a lifelong journey of courage, discipline, and hope,” said Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO, Hinduja Foundation. “Through T1DI, we stand with every child and their family, helping them manage, adapt, and thrive through compassionate, community-based care.”

The Type 1 Diabetes India (T1DI) initiative, launched with P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, and KEM Hospital, Pune, extends comprehensive support to children from low-income families through free insulin, diagnostics, counselling, and peer-learning platforms that integrate access, awareness, and empathy-driven care.

What began as a medical intervention soon evolved into a story of transformation, with over 40 children further empowered through insulin pumps, including 20 advanced automated insulin delivery systems, giving them the freedom to live fuller, healthier lives. In Pune, the Foundation and KEM Hospital have created ClubOne, a vibrant peer-support platform that nurtures resilience, confidence, and hope among young patients.

The programme’s measurable impact includes:

• Significant reduction in hospitalisations among enrolled children
• Improvement in average HbA1c levels from 10.4% at the first visit to 7.8% by the 14^th visit among enrolled children
• Increased school attendance and renewed participation in extracurricular activities
• Enhanced nutrition and growth outcomes, supported by regular dietary monitoring

The Foundation further contributes to global diabetes research through its collaboration with Harvard University’s Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDIC), with findings presented at international forums in Bangkok and Vienna in 2025.

Building on this impact, the Foundation is exploring partnerships to make diabetes management more affordable, accessible, and digitally enabled across the country.

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BENGALURU: In a significant finding ahead of World Diabetes Day, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic, one of India’s leading homeopathic healthcare centres with a presence in Bengaluru, has reported that homeopathic treatment has helped avoid foot amputation in 35% of diabetic patients who had previously been advised amputation by their doctors.

The Clinic, founded in 1977 by Padma Shri recipient Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, manages more than 5,500 cases of diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses every month, of which about 30% are in advanced stages—patients struggling with insulin resistance or long-term complications such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and gangrene.

“Our clinical data collected over 45 years show clear evidence of homeopathy’s effectiveness in both preventing and managing diabetes and its complications,” said Dr. Kushal Banerjee, second-generation homeopath and Senior Consultant at Dr Kalyan Banerjee Clinic. “Nearly 65% of pre-diabetic patients under our care have been able to prevent progression to diabetes through homeopathy, diet, and lifestyle changes. Among those with chronic kidney dysfunction, 55% reported improvement in readings, while 60% experienced relief in diabetic neuropathy symptoms. In advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy, we have seen an arrest in visual degeneration and reduced dependence on conventional medicines.”

Homeopathy is increasingly being considered by patients who are no longer responding to conventional medicines or insulin. “In such cases, we often see a decline in blood sugar readings when homeopathic medicines are added,” explained Dr. Banerjee. “Equally important, homeopathy can play a preventive role by identifying and treating high-risk or pre-diabetic patients early, while offering holistic guidance on diet, exercise, and lifestyle management.”

According to Dr. Kushal Banerjee, homeopathy can safely complement conventional treatment without any risk of adverse drug interactions. “Patients can continue their prescribed allopathic medicines alongside homeopathy. As sugar readings improve, diabetologists can gradually reduce conventional medicines under supervision,” he said. “In early stages, with strict lifestyle management, many patients can stop all medicines for life,” he said.

A Case of Hope and Healing

A 45-year-old vegetable seller, facing amputation due to diabetic gangrene, approached the Clinic as a last resort. “He had been advised amputation of most of his foot, which would have ended his livelihood,” said Dr. Banerjee. “With homeopathic treatment, strict diet control, and hygiene, the gangrene gradually reversed. His foot healed completely except for a darkened patch of skin. Cases like his remind us of homeopathy’s potential to restore both health and dignity.”

A growing body of peer-reviewed research supports the rising global acceptance of homeopathy among diabetics, pointing to its holistic, evidence-based potential in managing this multi-systemic disease.

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With over 15% -25% of diabetic patients suffering from DFU at least once in their lifetime, DFU is the most prevalent complication caused by chronic diabetes. The approval of NovaLead’s patented repurposed drug is significant because DFU is the leading cause of lower limb amputations globally, with about 100,000 annual incidences in India alone.

“The approval of this drug marks an important moment for people suffering from DFU, who until now had limited drug options for complete wound closure. Approval of this drug is also a demonstration of effective Public-Private partnership as its development was partly funded by BIRAC, a govt. of India initiative.” said Supreet Deshpande, Chief Executive Officer at NovaLead Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Pune – India.

“Although it is a repurposed drug, we developed it as a new drug with comprehensive preclinical and clinical investigations, keeping patient safety at the forefront. Its approval is based on statistically significant positive results over the standard of care treatment in a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 clinical trial,” said Dr. Sudhir Kulkarni, Vice President- of Discovery, at NovaLead.

This drug is a novel topical gel formulation of Esmolol hydrochloride, which is already approved in several countries for cardiac conditions via intravenous injection. Thus, this novel topical gel discovered and developed by NovaLead is a new indication as well as a new formulation to be first launched in India. NovaLead has been granted patents for this drug in several countries including regulated markets of the USA, EU, and Japan.

Atul Aslekar, COO of NovaLead, mentioned that “a start-up traversing the highly challenging drug development cycle right from discovery to approval, spanning over a decade and a half, makes NovaLead a unique success story in Indian pharma”.

“The drug will be made available to the patients of DFU in India by one of the leading Indian pharmaceutical companies through an exclusive IP licensing arrangement with NovaLead. Going forward, NovaLead will focus on the development of this repurposed drug for regulated markets of USA and Europe,” said Supreet Deshpande.

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Almonds

Consuming a handful of almonds may benefit both short-term and long-term blood sugar control for individuals with uncomplicated type-2 diabetes. Including almonds in a meal can help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels by slowing down the release of glucose into the bloodstream, thanks to their monounsaturated fatty acids content.

Almonds can also aid in boosting metabolism in individuals managing type-2 diabetes, consequently facilitating faster calorie burning. This metabolic boost is attributed to almonds’ nutritional profile, which includes fiber, essential vitamins like folate and vitamin E, phytochemicals such as phytosterols and flavonoids, minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as unsaturated fatty acids.

Additionally, people with type-2 diabetes face an increased risk of developing heart disease. Almonds contain vitamin E and healthy fats that play a crucial role in averting heart complications. Research conducted by Harvard University suggests that incorporating almonds into the diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among adults with type-2 diabetes.

Green leafy vegetables

While many of us recognize the importance of incorporating greens into our diets, research indicates that consuming green leafy vegetables can significantly decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Examples of green leafy vegetables that can be regularly included in one’s diet include spinach, cabbage, drumstick leaves, mint leaves, amaranth leaves, fenugreek leaves, and radish tops, among others. These vegetables are abundant in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and some also contain omega-3 fatty acids in the alpha-linolenic form.

There are various ways to incorporate these green leafy vegetables into your diet, such as adding them to soups, and salads, or even consuming them as a green juice. If you choose to cook them as a curry, it’s advisable to avoid adding excess oil to maintain their nutritional benefits.

Yogurt

Homemade yogurt, known as “dahi,” has been a staple in the Indian diet for centuries. In recent years, yogurt has gained popularity for its numerous health benefits. According to a Yogurt and Diabetes study, consuming yogurt may decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially in healthy and older adults with a high cardiovascular risk. The study found that there was a 14% lower risk of type 2 diabetes among those who consumed 80–125 grams of yogurt per day compared to those who consumed no yogurt at all.

Yogurt can be particularly beneficial for managing diabetes because it is low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and supportive of gut health. When purchasing yogurt, it’s advisable to opt for the plain variant rather than flavored options. Plain yogurt allows for better control over added sugars. For added nutrients and flavor, consider topping your yogurt with healthy options such as sliced almonds or strawberries.

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The anti-diabetic biosimilar has been launched under the brand name Lirafit and is indicated for improving glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Lirafit will sharply lower the daily cost of therapy by around 70% to around INR 100; making the drug more accessible to a larger number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the country.

PUNE: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), a research-led, global pharmaceutical company, has launched a biosimilar of the popular anti-diabetic drug, Liraglutide, for the first time in India. The drug is being marketed under the brand name Lirafit following the approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Priced at around INR 100 for a standard dose of 1.2 mg (per day), this will lower the cost of therapy by approximately 70%, and will be available only under prescription.

Liraglutide belongs to the class of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) drugs, which increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion and decrease inappropriate glucagon secretion.^12,13  It has been approved globally for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adult patients in the United States and the European Union.¹⁴

“Glenmark is proud to introduce Lirafit, a novel and affordable biosimilar of the drug liraglutide, for the first time in India. Clinical trials have shown that it helps improve glycemic control in adult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients along with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and obesity. Liraglutide has also proven to have a positive impact on cardiac and renal safety outcomes among patients in clinical trials, making it an effective choice of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. With this launch, we have now ventured into the injectable anti-diabetic market taking another significant stride in the diabetes therapy space,” remarked Alok Malik, President and Business Head ‐ India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Liraglutide and its role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Liraglutide has a proven efficacy in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials on Indian adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over 24 weeks have demonstrated Lirafit to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated. The trials also revealed non-inferior efficacy and a safety profile with that of the reference liraglutide. Additional benefits of liraglutide include effectively lowering glycemic parameters, weight reduction, and cardiovascular safety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  

GLP-1 RA class of drugs and their mechanism of action

GLP-1 RA (Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are a group of drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 RAs are very effective in lowering blood sugar levels. Several trials have demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusand ASCVD or high cardiovascular risk and have beneficial effects on cardio-renal outcomes beyond their blood glucose-lowering effects in type 2 diabetes patients. Their mechanism of action involves the release of insulin, in the presence of elevated glucose concentrations, thus decreasing glucagon secretion. GLP-1 RAs are recommended in the treatment guidelines by the American Diabetes Association as well as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) Consensus Statement & European Society of Cardiology for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with co-morbidities like established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends GLP1RAs therapy for weight loss & lesser risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.^6,7 Drugs belonging to this class include liraglutide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide, among others.

Glenmark’s expertise in diabetes management

Glenmark has a strong legacy of bringing in new, effective, and affordable treatment options for diabetic patients, especially for those suffering from uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. In 2015, Glenmark was the first to launch the DPP4 inhibitor, Teneligliptin (Zita Plus® and Ziten®), followed by a FDC of Teneligliptin + Metformin (Zita-Met Plus® and Ziten-M®). Glenmark later introduced Remogliflozin (Remo® and Remozen), a novel SGLT-2 inhibitor in 2019; and subsequently, its combinations (Remo-V®, Remozen-V, Remo MV®, and Remozen MV). Glenmark followed that up with the launch of Sitagliptin (Sitazit®) and its FDCs in 2022. Then came Lobeglitazone (LOBG®) and additional FDCs of Teneligliptin, including its combinations with Pioglitazone (Zita Pio), Pioglitazone + Metformin (Zita®-PioMet), Dapagliflozin (Zita-D), and Dapagliflozin + Metformin (Zita® DM). Liraglutide (Lirafit®), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) is the latest affordable offering from Glenmark, marking its entry into the injectable anti-diabetic market.

Prevalence of diabetes in India

As per the ICMR-INDIAB study conducted between October 2008 and December 2020, the overall weighted prevalence of diabetes was 11.4%. According to IQVIA sales data for the 12 months ending August 2023 (MAT August 2023), the market for GLP-1 RA in India is estimated to be INR 259 crores, with an annual growth of 108% against the corresponding period last year (MAT August 2022). 

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