Cadila launches first cheaper copy of arthritis drug

Mumbai: Drug maker Cadila Healthcare Ltd on Tuesday announced the launch of a biosimilar for adalimumab, the world’s largest selling drug for rheumatoid arthritis and other auto immune disorders.

The drug will be marketed under the brand name Exemptia, the company said in a filing to BSE.

Biosimilars are products that are highly similar to the original medicinal product. They have a similar level of efficacy and safety and provide additional advantage to patients in terms of affordability and accessibility.

Adalimumab was approved globally in 2002 and has since been the most preferred drug for patients suffering from auto immune disorders. The drug is sold under the brand Humira in the US by AbbVie Inc.

Cadila’s biosimilar is the first to be launched by any company in the world and is a finger print match with the original in terms of safety, purity and potency of the product, the company said.

It is estimated that more than 12 million patients in India suffer from the chronic conditions the drug targets, which progressively deteriorate and lead to lifelong pain and in some cases, disability, the company said in the filing.

“At Zydus, we believe that innovations must bridge unmet healthcare needs and provide solutions to patients who are suffering from disease and disability especially in such chronic conditions. This therapy will offer a new lease of life to millions in India who did not have access to this therapy so far,” said Sharvil Patel, deputy managing director of Zydus Cadila, also known as Cadila Healthcare.

According to a Reuters report, the firm will sell one vial of the drug for $200, one-fifth the price at which AbbVie sells its branded version Humira in the US.

The report also said that the company expects to launch the drug in the US in 2019, as Humira’s US patent will expire in 2016.

The drug will be marketed by Zydus Biovation, a new division launched to exclusively market this drug, the firm said.

“Globally the drug had sales of $10.7 billion in 2013; thus it has a lot of potential in India too. The potential market in India for this product can easily be around Rs.3,000-4,000 crore,” said Sarabjit Kaur Nangra, vice-president research—pharma, Angel Broking Ltd.

According to the company, it can garner sales of around Rs.100-150 crore in the next three-five years, Nangra said. “Thus, while the upsides from the drug could be lower in FY2015-16, the sales can scale up significantly in FY17,” she added.

The company’s research and development pipeline includes 24 biologics including biosimilars and three novel biologics. These biologics are being developed to treat auto immune disorders like arthritis, cancer, infertility and stroke, the company said.

On Tuesday, Cadila’s shares ended at Rs.1,576.05, down 0.63%, while the benchmark Sensex index closed at 27,797.01, down 1.15%.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.