Biotech major Biocon has launched KRABEVA, a biosimilar product, which can be used to treat certain types of cancer.

This biosimilar can be used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and other types of lung, kidney, cervical, ovarian and brain cancers in India, according to a company statement.

The product is being offered to patients at an MRP of ₹24,000 for 100 mg /4-ml vials and ₹39,990 for 400 mg/16-ml vials.

“We believe KRABEVA will be an important addition to oncology portfolio of novel biologics as well as biosimilars, which are making a significant impact in the realm of cancer care in India," said Arun Chandavarkar, CEO and joint MD, Biocon.

KRABEVA is a monoclonal anti-body (mAb) developed by Biocon, will help expand access to high quality biosimilar Bevacizumab for cancer patients in India.

Bevacizumab is indicated as a first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and is accepted as a standard treatment option in combination with chemotherapy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSLC), metastatic renal cell carcinoma and recurrent ovarian cancer.

KRABEVA is being launched post successful completion of phase III clinical trials and approval of company's marketing authorisation application by the Drug Controller General of India.

The launch of KRABEVA comes at a time when around 17.3 lakh new cases of cancer and over 8.8 lakh cancer deaths is projected in India by 2020, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Similarly, new cervical cancer cases are expected to rise from an estimated 1 lakh in 2016 to about 1.04 lakh by 2020. The market size for Bevacizumab, both innovator product and biosimilars, in India is estimated at ₹177 crore, according to IPSOS June MAT 2017 data.

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