The clinical effectiveness of Infimab, coupled with cost-effective pricing and a patient support programme, will enable more patients to get access to a biologic treatment in India for treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Ranbaxy Laboratories has launched Infimab (BOW015), the first Remicade (Infliximab) biosimilar in India. The product was launched at the Indian Rheumatology Association Conference (IRACON) in Chandigarh, in the presence of over a thousand rheumatologists and doctors from around the country.
Infimab, is being introduced in the Indian market through a licensing partnership with EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, a US and Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialisation of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies. Infimab will be manufactured by Reliance Life Sciences at a facility in Mumbai. The innovator reference product is currently marketed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Infimab marks Ranbaxy’s entry into mAb (Monoclonal Antibodies) biologics and will help the company provide greater access to quality biologic medicines in management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Rajeev Sibal, Vice President and Country Head-India Region, Ranbaxy, said, “Infimab offers a new opportunity in the management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The product has been developed as per global standards and delivers a similar clinical outcome to the innovator. It will be available in India at a very significant discount as compared to the innovator drug. More Indian patients will get the benefit of a world-class biologic treatment.”
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases that cause disability. The literature estimates a prevalence of 0.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent in India. To manage the disease, Indian rheumatologists are using Infliximab to treat only a select set of patients because it is very expensive.
Dr Arvind Chopra, Consultant Rheumatologist, Pune who was also the Principal Investigator of Clinical Trial conducted in India with Infimab (BOW015), stated, “There has been an inordinate interest among the medical fraternity in India regarding the launch of Infimab as it is an affordable therapeutic alternative to Infliximab with equivalent clinical effectiveness. The availability of the new drug has widened our options to treat several forms of arthritis. This will increase patient access and many more Indian patients will benefit from this biologic treatment. The drug will not only be able to stop progression of rheumatoid arthritis but effectively control several of its complications that include bone damage, deformities and osteoporosis. Infimab also has an excellent treatment potential to treat other crippling painful arthritis like ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.”
Amit Munshi, President and Chief Executive Officer, EPIRUS, stated, “We are delighted to partner with Ranbaxy to bring Infimab to India. Infimab represents an affordable solution for patients and may expand patient access to this important medicine.”
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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