Avesthagen to begin trials of anaemia drug

Avesthagen has said its biosimilar molecule to treat anaemia in patients of cancer and renal failure will shortly enter clinical trials. Quintiles Research (India) will conduct the trials and investigate the molecule's efficacy in cases of chronic kidney patients undergoing dialysis and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, a company release said. Both groups suffer from anaemia and are often treated with recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) or its analogue, Darbepoietin alfa marketed by biotech major Amgen. The latter significantly reduces the treatment cost. In 2010, Darbepoietin clocked global sales of $2.5 billion, the release said. Avdesp is its biosimilar. Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, Avesthagen's Founder and CMD, said, "This is a significant milestone in the lifecycle of our biosimilar programme. Avesthagen has a rich pipeline of biosimilars through which we intend to provide cost-effective healthcare solutions to patients across the globe.”