Zydus Alidac Launches Osteoporosis Drug

Zydus Alidac, an arm of Zydus Cadila, has launched Bonmax (Raloxifene Hydrochloride) which is used in the prevention and treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO).

According to the company, post-menopausal osteoporosis primarily occurs due to the deficiency of the hormone -- estrogen -- during the menopausal phase in a woman, which usually sets in between 45-55 years. The disease is characterised by loss of bone mass thus making bones fragile thereby increasing the risk of fractures.

In India, PMO affects at least one out of three menopausal women. It is aptly termed a 'silent killer' as 30 per cent of the bone mass is already lost by the time it is detected. If not prevented, osteoporosis leads to fractures mainly of the hip, spine and wrists and could disable women for life. In fact, every woman above the age of 50 is highly susceptible and faces the risk of a broken bone due to osteoporosis. The number of osteoporotic fractures in post-menopausal women far outnumber the incidences of breast cancers, strokes and heart attacks put together.

 

A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), Bonmax has a three-pronged action. It maximises bone mass thereby reducing the risk of fractures, reduces the risk of breast cancer and decreases total and LDL cholesterol.

International trials are currently on the explore its use as a drug tob prevent and treat breast cancer, it was further mentioned.