Biocon Launches Cancer Biosimilar Bevacizumab ‘Krabeva’
Asia’s premier biopharmaceuticals company, Bangalore- based Biocon, has now unveiled Krabeva, a biosimilar bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and other types of lung, kidney, cervical, ovarian and brain cancers, in India.
Biocon will be selling its version of Bevacizumab under brand name Krabeva at an aggressive pricing of Rs. 24,000 for 100 mg / 4 ml vials and Rs. 39,990 for 400 mg / 16 ml vials.
Currently, bevacizumab is sold in India by innovator Roche under the name Avastin and biosimilar versions of the drug by Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hetero Healthcare Ltd, Cadila Healthcare Ltd and Lupin Ltd, according to data from market research firm AIOCD-AWACS.
The price of Roche Avastin for 100 mg is Rs41,250. The biosimilars from various companies are available in the range of Rs22,000 to Rs27,100, as per the AIOCD-AWACS data.
This is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) developed by Biocon, will help expand access to a world class, high quality biosimilar Bevacizumab for cancer patients in India. It is the world’s first and only Bevacizumab with a unique ‘Qual-Check’ mechanism, which will ensure that patients get a quality-ascertained product right upto infusion.
Dr Arun Chandavarkar
, chief executive officer & joint managing director, Biocon said: “With Krabeva we intend to provide a high quality, world-class biosimilar Bevacizumab as an affordable therapy option for patients of various types of cancer. We believe Krabeva will be an important addition to our Oncology portfolio of novel biologics as well as biosimilars, which are making a significant impact in the realm of cancer care in India.”Bevacizumab is indicated as a first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).It 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.
Most biologic products require a specific storage condition to maintain the safety, purity and potency of the drug. An efficient and seamless cold chain prevents denaturation of antibodies due to heat. Krabeva is being introduced with an innovative temperature-sensitive packaging that includes thermo-chromic stickers, which change colour irreversibly if the cold chain temperature is not maintained.
The phase III clinical study involving 146 patients of mCRC, has been conducted after obtaining regulatory approvals in India.
The global Phase III trial in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSLC) patients is being conducted at more than 100 sites across multiple countries using an EU and US sourced reference product. Prior to this, a three-way Phase I PK study in healthy volunteers was conducted in Europe.
