Intas Launches RAZUMAB, Globally the First Biosimilar to Lucentis® (Ranibizumab)

AHMEDABAD, India, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Intas Pharmaceuticals has launched RAZUMAB™, its biosimilar to Lucentis® (Ranibizumab). Intas is the first company globally to develop and launch a biosimilar version of Ranibizumab. RAZUMAB™ is manufactured under strict guidelines for sterile use in the eye and is offered as single dose vial, thus reducing the risk of contamination during use.

Ranibizumab is a therapeutic antibody fragment designed specifically for treating degenerative conditions of the eye. It blocks the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A), a protein which when overexpressed leads to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, that can cause leaks and vision loss. Ranibizumab is indicated for the treatment of Neovascular (Wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a common degenerative condition of the eyes in the elderly. It is also indicated for Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Diabetic Retinopathy in patients with Diabetic Macular Edema and vision loss resulting from choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia (mCNV).

"Intas' Ranibizumab, RAZUMAB™ is a 100% 'Made In India' molecule, a feat achieved by the scientists at Intas and unparalleled till date. With the mission to provide global healthcare at affordable costs, RAZUMAB™ will be about 25% cheaper than the imported Lucentis® in the hand of the patient. This would lead to an annual saving of about Rs. 35,000 or more in the cost of treatment to the patient, depending on the number of injections used and the clinical condition of the patient. Our objective is to make the treatment available to a wider patient pool, that is as yet denied treatment due to the high cost of imported Lucentis®," said Mr. Binish Chudgar, the Vice Chairman of the Company.

RAZUMAB™ is the tenth biosimilar launched by Intas in India, by far the largest number of indigenously developed biosimilars by any company. Since 2004, when Intas launched its first biosimilar, Intas has constantly worked to bring the latest in biological therapies to Indian patients at affordable prices. With its robust pipeline of future products under development, Intas aims to continue on this endeavor. Till date, Intas is also the only company from India to have launched a biosimilar in the highly regulated European market and is also the only company from India to have two of its biosimilars filed for registration in the US. Its first biosimilar for global markets, Accofil (filgratsim) was launched in Europe earlier this year. The company expects to launch its first biosimilar in the US within the next 9 - 12 months. Intas' manufacturing facilities are approved by global regulatory agencies such as EMA, ANVISA, WHO and others. RAZUMAB™ is also manufactured in the same facilities as its other biosimilars.

About Intas  

Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited is a leading vertically integrated Indian pharmaceutical company committed on delivering affordable and innovative pharmaceutical solutions. Its operations range from API to formulation development to large-scale commercial manufacturing to cater to global requirements. In the domestic market Intas has a leading presence in chronic therapeutic segments and Intas is currently ranked 11th in the Indian Pharma Market with 2.66% market share (as per IMS Health India, Secondary Stockiest Audit (SSA), March, 2015 MAT).

Intas also has extensive presence in more than 70 countries worldwide with robust sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure in highly regulated markets like North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand etc. For the financial year ending March 2015, Intas group recorded a turnover of ~Rs. 5100 Cr. at ~ 20% CAGR over the last 5 years.

For more information, visit http://www.intaspharma.com

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