Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Launches Indigenously Manufactured PEGEX (Pegfilgrastim) For Cancer Patients At Reachable Price
Mumbai: 14th April 2010: Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, a 100% vertically integrated arm of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited based out of Pune today announced the commercial launch of indigenously developed PEGEX (Pegfilgrastim) in India. PEGEX (Pegfilgrastim) is indicated to reduce the duration of Neutropenia and also the incidence of febrile Neutropenia in patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for treatment of cancer.
The cost of PEGEX(Pegfilgrastim) is Rs.17,900/- to the patient which is the most economical brand as compared to other pegfilgrastim brands which are currently priced above Rs. 27,000/-.
Talking about Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, CEO Dr. Sanjay Singh said, “Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is a leading player in the biosimilar segment in the world, by virtue of carrying one of the largest portfolio of such recombinant DNA technology based bio-therapeutics in the Indian market. Our scientists have developed Elaxim, the only biosimilar tenectaplase available today. This drug is used in the management of myocardial infarction with S/T segment elevation. It has been used in 11,000 patients in India, and data from 2100 such patients are published in peer-reviewed journals. With the launch of PEGEX (Pegfilgrastim), Gennova is fulfilling its mission of offering cost effective high end technology medicines produced in India”.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch of PEGEX(Pegfilgrastim), Mr. Arun Khanna, COO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals said “Cytotoxic chemotherapy induced neutropenia is often identified in 10 - 57% of patients and with certain chemotherapy regimens the risk of febrile neutropenia is more than 20%. Old age and other co-morbid conditions can also increase the risk of Febrile Neutropenia.
He further added, “Currently filgrastim, the conventional growth factor is used in a majority as a daily injection for 5-10 days per chemotherapy cycle. Sometimes, due to logistic reasons the patient cannot take the recommended daily filgrastim injections leading to chemotherapy dose delays and dose reductions thus probably affecting the outcome. PEGEX (Pegfilgrastim) offers the convenience of one injection per chemotherapy cycle with similar safety and efficacy profile as filgrastim.”
About Neutropenia
Neutropenia is a condition of reduced number of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils are part of WBC’s (White Blood Cells) which plays an important role in fighting infection and maintaining immunity. During cytotoxic chemotherapy sometimes the patient’s neutrophil count can come down drastically exposing the patient at increased risk of infection which could lead to prolonged admission and also use of certain high end antibiotics. Neutropenia can sometimes be catastrophic. Presence of neutropenia can force the physician to reduce the intended chemotherapy dose or postpone the regimen until the neutrophil count comes to an acceptable level. Grannulocyte – Colony stimulating growth factors (G-CSF) like filgrastim and pegfilgrastim are used to increase the neutrophil count in chemotherapy induced neutropenia.
About Emcure Pharmaceuticals:
Established in 1983, Emcure was born out of the vision to create a healthcare company that would address the vast healthcare needs. The company’s commitment and drive have propelled its growth from a single manufacturing facility at the genesis, to a range of world class research and manufacturing facilities spread across API, formulations and biotechnology.
Headquartered in Pune, India, Emcure is today a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company with infrastructure, skills and resources that are at par with the best in the world. The Company has carved a niche for itself as a preferred outsourcing partner for some of the largest MNCs both in the Indian and global markets.
Emcure also researches, manufactures and markets formulations under its own brands in the domestic market and exports formulations to USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, CIS, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
About Gennova Biopharmaceuticals:
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (GBL) is a biotech company located in Pune, India. GBL is a subsidiary of one of India’s fastest growing pharmaceuticals companies, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. GBL already manufactures and markets its own brands of TNK-tPA (Tissue-Plasminogen Activator), GM-CSF (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor) and EPO (recombinant human erythropoietin) and boasts of a robust pipeline. GBL has well established recombinant protein expression and characterization platforms using E. coli, yeast, and mammalian (CHO cells) systems.