Avesthagen Pharma signs pact with Elpen Pharmaceuticals for biosimilar AVDESPTM

Avesthagen Pharma has announced an agreement with Elpen Pharmaceutical Co, a leader in life-sciences for the distribution of AVDESPTM, a biosimilar product in seven EU and six non-EU territories namely Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Bosnia, FRYOM, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo with a collective population base of over 70 million.

AVDESPTM, a biosimilar for Darbepoetin alfa Aranesp will be used for the treatment of anaemia resulting from chronic kidney disorders and cancer chemotherapy. “We are excited about this alliance as we start our marketing in some most interesting countries, it will give us an opportunity to know these markets and interact with its people,” said Dr Villoo Morawala- Patell, Chairperson, Avesthagen Pharma.

The current global sales for the product are in excess of $2.5 billion and APAG hopes to price Avdesp for it to come within the reach of a wider global community. “The company is committed to deliver affordable healthcare for humanity,” added Dr Patell. Avesthagen Pharma is currently engaged with many other opportunities for a number of its ‘Biosimilars’ and ‘Biobetters’ in several countries. It is working with different outsourcing organisations to make sure the product come to the market at the earliest. It has identified Syngene International for fill and finish; Kemwell Biopharma as a CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organisation); and PRA International, a global CRO to conduct and carry out the phase I clinical trial in The Netherlands followed by phase III in India. This deal is of primary importance as Avesthagen Pharma establishes its presence as a developer and marketer of its significant biosimilar pipeline.

Avesthagen Pharma and its 100 per cent-owned subsidiary Avesthagen Pharma India is a key player in the targeted therapeutic space. Its journey started as a spin-out from Avesthagen carrying a formidable portfolio of eight biosimilar drugs.

EP News Bureau – Mumbai