Admin
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Bangalore-based Biocon announced the launch of a biologic which has been researched, developed and manufactured in the country to treat chronic plaque psoriasis. A biologic is a drug composed of sugar, proteins and living entities such as cells and tissues. They re made of natural resources and don t need chemicals. The drug Alzumab will be 50 per cent cheaper than similar drugs in the market and will only cost Rs 7,950. This new line of treatment will usher in a paradigm shift in the management of psoriasis. We are proud that this will be the first instance of a breakthrough innovation from India with a potential to treat multiple auto-immune diseases and will make a difference to a much larger patient population across the world, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and managing director of Biocon.
The company believes that Alzumab will be safer and more effective than existing therapies, have no side effects and will prevent the disease from recurring. The company is looking to take its drugs to foreign shores as well and is looking for a global partner. We will be addressing the global opportunity through partnering the molecule (the infusion drug) globally, Shaw said, adding the company was engaged in discussions with a large number of companies and it was a matter of time before Biocon inked a partnership deal to take the drug worldwide. We have had discussions with regulators... USFDA... and they are also very excited about the promise of this drug and we are planning to file an IND very soon (within the current fiscal), Mazumdar-Shaw said.
Biocon worked on the drug for a decade and had won approval from the Drug Controller General of India earlier this year. Alzumab will be manufactured at the company s manufacturing facility at Biocon Park in Bangalore. The biotechnology major had reported an 18.65 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 93.50 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2013 compared with Rs 78.80 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.
The consolidated total income also rose to Rs 700.69 crore for the April-June quarter against Rs 576.68 crore in the year-ago period.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes skin to flake off leading to skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, reddened skin with flaky, silvery patches called scales.
What are the causes of psoriasis?
The exact causative factor is unknown. However, it has been found that it may have an autoimmune cause (the body s defence cells start attacking the body s own skin cells). It may affect people of any age, but it is most commonly seen between ages 15 and 35. The condition is not communicable. Psoriasis also seems to have a hereditary predilection.
In healthy skin, cells grow deep and normally rise to the surface about once a month. In persons with psoriasis, this process is fast (two weeks instead of four). This leads to dead skin cells building up on the skin s surface.
What are the triggers for psoriasis?
Anything that compromises the body s immunity can trigger Psoriasis:
Read on to find out more about the disease.