DTMT NETWORK

Indian Pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila has launched Trastuzumab Emtansine, first Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) biosimilar and a highly effective drug for treating both Early and Advanced HER2 positive Breast Cancer, under the brand name ‘Ujvira’.

Zydus Cadila has stated the Ujvira is a developmental breakthrough due to its complexity in manufacturing and similarity assays.  

This drug is made by combining Trastuzumab and a cytotoxic compound Emtansine (DM1) with the help of a stable linker by a process called Antibody Drug Conjugation. Due to this technology, the targeted delivery of the cytotoxic agent is enabled and the other toxicities on body are reduced.

“Ujvira is backed up with a rigorous drug development programme. Patients already treated with Trastuzumab may still have the disease and would require this therapy as the next step. The high cost of therapy is a barrier to availing this therapy and Ujvira bridges this need,” said the company in a statement relased recently.

The company has pointed out that in a step that can significantly reduce treatment cost by almost 80%, the drug is being offered at Rs. 32495 for a 100 mg vial. The current MRP of existing Trastuzumab Emtansine drug is Rs. 1,59,225 for 100 mg vial. Ujvira will be available in two strengths, 100 mg and 160 mg.

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Cadila Healthcare, said, “This research breakthrough enables access to a critical drug for patients who are undergoing therapy for breast cancer. We hope that with this innovation, patients will be able to adhere to the treatment and stand to benefit from the advanced technology without worrying about the cost of the treatment.”