Zydus Launches Biosimilar For Auto Immune Disorder Drug

Drug is priced at a fifth of the innovator drug in India; firm targeting 12 million-strong market

Terming biologics as a critical growth driver for the future, Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila is aiming to clock revenues worth Rs 500 crore from the division in the next three to five years. The company today launched the biosimilar of Adalimumab, used for treatment of auto immune disorders, at a price one fifth of the innovator drug in India.

Exemptia by Zydus would target 12 million persons in India who are not taking medicines for disorders such as arthritis and spondylitis. Adalimumab had global revenue of about $12 bilion. US-based AbbVie Inc sells this drug in America under the brand of Humira.

"This is our 7th biosimilar launch and there will be two more next year in the space of cancer. We are looking at a business of about Rs 200 crore from this drug in next three to five years," company deputy managing director Sharvil Patel told this newspaper.

Biosimilars are biological products that are 'similar' or 'highly similar' to the reference medicinal products (originator products) following the EMA (European Medicines Agency), US FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA) and the CDSCO regulatory guidelines. Biosimilars have similar level of efficacy and safety compared to that of the originator products and provide additional advantage to patients in terms of affordability and accessibility.

"This division of business has already started delivering commercially and we see substantial growth by 2020. It should be around Rs 500 crore in the next five years," Patel said by adding that this division had a revenue of about Rs 100 crore at present.

Zydus' announcement comes at a time when major domestic generic drug makers like Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Cipla Ltd and Lupin Ltd are also exploring the market.

On a overall business front, the company is further looking to strengthen its position in markets such as America, South Africa, and Brazil.