Biocon’s affordable breast cancer drug Canmab launched

India's leading biotechnology firm Biocon Ltd. has released a new drug to treat metastatic breast cancer it developed jointly with US-based pharma major Mylan.

By: Editorial Team | | Published: January 20, 2014 9:50 am

Tags: Breast cancer treatment In the news

India’s leading biotechnology firm Biocon Ltd. has released a new drug to treat metastatic breast cancer it developed jointly with US-based pharma major Mylan. Also Read - Androgen therapy proposed as alternative treatment for breast cancer: How it is different from endocrine therapy?

Claimed to be the world’s first bio-similar version of Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody used to treat certain breast cancers, the Biocon drug (Canmab) offers an affordable option to patients in India. Also Read - Breast cancer in men: Warning signs and symptoms to look out for

‘Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among Indian women ahead of cervical cancer, as nearly 1.5 lakh new patients are diagnosed with it every year across the country,’ the company said in a statement here Sunday. Also Read - Breast cancer: What causes breast cancer in women? WARNING signs you should never ignore

As a targetted therapy for treatment, the drug acts by interfering with Her2 (genes) protein production and stopping growth of cancer cells.

Though given intravenously once a week or in three weeks depending on the patient’s condition, the drug can be stored for one month.

‘We want to make a difference in treating Her2-positive breast cancer by giving access to affordable treatment with the drug, which offers same safety and efficacy as its reference product (Herceptin),’ Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said in the statement.

Produced in the company’s biologics facility here, the drug will be available in the market from early February at 25 percent cheaper than the reference product, sold at Rs.19,500 per vial, though lower than in developed markets. (Read: New breast cancer treatment in the offing?)

‘Developing a biosimilar monoclonal antibody requires skills, huge investment in clinical development, manufacturing and gestation period, leading to higher costs than common chemistry-based drugs,’ Shaw said.

With increased usage of targetted therapies like biologics as against cytotoxics, a drug used to directly kill tumour cells, the new trend is set to continue in view of the improved treatment outcomes.

Global sale of Herceptin was $6.4 billion in 2012, including $21 million in India. (Read: Breast cancer: Top 10 myths busted)

As a leading oncology firm, Biocon has in the past delivered a novel biologic drug for head and neck cancer, benefitting about 5,500 patients across the country.

‘Though standard treatment for breast cancer is surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies, survival rate in the US has improved to about 90 percent after biologics was introduced with improved screening and other treatment enhancements,’ the statement added. (Read: 10 tips to cope with breast cancer)

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a major problem in India. According to Dr Sumeet Shah, ‘Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian cities, accounting for a staggering 25 to 35 percent of all cancers in women in cities! Even in rural areas, the incidence is steadily rising. In the year 2008, almost 1,15,000 new cases of breast cancer were reported in India, and about 53,000 death due to breast cancer were recorded.’ Certainly more awareness is needed and many campaigns have taken place over the last few years. In this mega guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the disease.

Causes

Unhealthy style, stress, imbalanced food, irregular sleeping hours, etc. are some of the things that can lead to breast cancer.

Other reasons include:

Early menarche (start of menstruation) and late menopause which exposes the body’s cells to more than normal oestrogen. While oestrogen is an important and protective hormone, it has a proliferative effect on cells of the breast and uterus which results in cancer.
First delivery beyond 30 years of age increase chances of developing breast cancer
Genetic predisposition – about 6-8% of breast and ovarian cancers seem to be family-based. The genetic changes are passed down the generation, which will increase their chance of developing cancer. (Read: Breast cancer — causes, symptoms, myths, diagnosis, treatment)

Withinputs from: IANS

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Published : January 20, 2014 9:50 am

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