Hetero Drugs Ltd.’s launch in India of its biosimilar rituximab, marketed as Maball, follows the other biosimilar versions of the cancer drug already launched by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (marketed as Reditux) and Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Mabtas), launched in 2007 and 2013 respectively.
Another Rituximab Debuts In India But No Price Contest?
The privately owned Indian firm Hetero has launched rituximab, its biosimilar version of Roche's MabThera/Rituxan, in India, trailing a clutch of local peers onto the market, although it is not yet clear what price advantages it may have over rivals.
More from India
India and the US are the major manufacturers of finished dosages for the US market in terms of volume (China accounts for 9% of injectables), though the US relies heavily on India for solid oral dosage forms and specific generics, including lenalidomide and albuterol. Scrip talks to experts on some of the key implications of geographic concentration of production for the US market amid the specter of tariffs.
Bharat Biotech is the latest entrant in India’s cell and gene therapy space, joining majors like Intas Pharma, Sun Pharma, Cipla and Dr. Reddy’s. An indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy launched last year, what is driving growing interest and success in cell and gene therapies?
Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India but a country-agnostic exemption of pharmaceuticals implies that the interests of Indian firms and the US consumer are protected for now. What is Indian pharma’s business exposure and what is domestic industry saying?
Senior executives from AstraZeneca, BMS, Novo Nordisk, Takeda and Regeneron outline how big pharma's global capability centers (GCCs) in India are evolving beyond cost efficiency, focusing on innovation, “agile experimentation” and new technology including GenAI, virtual & augmented reality, with some positioned as COEs. Will Indian multinationals use the GCC approach?
More from Focus On Asia
Chinese biopharma companies’ alliance strategies are transitioning from immediate cash needs to more strategic management of portfolios, as MNCs continue to hunt for derisked assets.
Menarini's Asia-Pacific CEO talks to Scrip about how the Italian group is tailoring its portfolio and pricing approach to local markets making strong strides in primary care and consumer health, while also charting a distinct path in rare diseases and oncology. The China market is also a key focus including as a potential source of innovation as is partnering, where the group has a rich history.
Analysts expect a limited impact on South Korean pharma from US tariffs, even if imposed at a later date. Meanwhile, the early June domestic presidential election is set to determine the direction of policies in the sector.