Our Bureau Drugmakers Roche Pharma India and Cipla have entered into a distribution agreement for rheumatoid arthritis drug tocilizumab (Actemra) and Syndyma, the second brand of Roche’s cancer therapy bevacizumab (Avastin), in India .
The two companies have, in the past, locked horns legally. But the latest distribution agreement is aimed at increasing access to innovative medicines in India, a note from the companies said.
Lara Bezerra, Roche (India) Managing Director, said the partnership will help Roche focus on bringing new, transformative medicines to patients in India. “At Roche, we will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to help transform healthcare in India,” she said in a note from the company.
Umang Vohra, Cipla Managing Director and Global Chief Executive, said: “The prevalence of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis is wide... across India, and Cipla can contribute to provide broader access to innovative medicines like tocilizumab and bevacizumab .”
Both drugs are biologic products or complex drugs made from living organisms.