Biotech major Biocon has launched CANMab (biosimilar Trastuzumab) for treating breast cancer in the Indian market from next month.
The company has priced the drug 25 per cent lower than the market leader Herceptin, which is sold by Roche.
CANMab has been developed jointly by Biocon and the US-based Mylan and made available in 150 mg/440 mg.
The company has priced it at Rs 19,500 per vial for 150 mg and Rs 57,500 for 440 mg.
“Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Indian women ahead of cervical cancer and CANMab will offer a high quality, more affordable option to breast cancer patients in India,” said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon, after launching the drug.
“Biocon intends to make a significant difference in the treatment paradigm for HER2-positive breast cancer in India by enhancing access to more affordable treatment with CANMab, which offers the same level of safety and efficacy as the reference product (Herceptin),” she added. Talking about the opportunity for biosimilar Trastuzumab, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, said: “The global sales for Herceptin stood at over $6.4 billion in 2012, while in India it recorded sales of over $21 million.”
“The Biocon-Mylan joint development programmes are on target.
“The two companies are working on eight molecules at present in the auto-immune and oncology space.
“Few molecules are in global clinical development, which is under way at multiple sites across the globe,” said Abhijit Bharve, President R&D, Biocon.
The company’s branded formulations business CAGR is 30 per cent.
anil.u@thehindu.co.in