Biocon launches Abraxane drug

The drug could be administered if combination therapy for metastatic disease failed or there was relapse within six months of adjuvant chemotherapy.    

The drug has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India in October 2007.    

"The launch provides breakthrough therapeutics to cancer patients in India and is a significant advance in taxane therapy for treatment of cancer", said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon at a press meet today.     

 

The drug would be 40 per cent less than that priced in the US. It would be in the range of $400 dollar as against its current US pricing of $1000.     

Abraxane is the first nanotechnology based anti-cancer drug that is administered in albumin-bound particles of approximately 130 nanometres and takes advantage of albumin, to transport the drug to the tumour tissue, said Neil Desai, VP of R&D at Abraxis Bio Science.    

The launch of Abraxene is part of Biocon's strategic licensing partnerships to advance therapeutics in India.

Abraxis had established a licensing agreement with Biocon for commercialisation of Abraxene in India.