Generic drugmaker Zydus Lifesciences Ltd on Wednesday (March 13) said it has launched olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, under the brand name IBYRA in India, making advanced cancer treatment accessible to all.
The drug will target specific genetic mutations prevalent in certain types of cancers, paving the way for a more tailored and effective treatment approach, according to a stock exchange filing.
Out of 14 lakh newly-diagnosed cancer patients in India, nearly 2.75 lakh patients are diagnosed with breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers, as per Globocan 2022 data.
Among these patients, those who are diagnosed as HRD (homologous recombination deficiency) positive or with BRACA mutation need to be administered this PARP inhibitor which can delay the progression of the disease. IBYRA is the next-gen targeted therapy for HRD-positive and BRACA-positive cancer patients.
To help identify the right patients and facilitate access, Zydus has collaborated with MedGenome for comprehensive HRD testing.
The cost of this, along with a year-long treatment of IBYRA, has been capped at ₹3 lakh — as compared to the cost of around ₹72 lakh by the innovator.
Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, said, "For patients newly diagnosed with these specific cancers, the right diagnosis and the right treatment early on can give them a big advantage in the fight against cancers. Our patient support focus in launching IBYRA helps them with both cutting-edge diagnosis for HRD positive cancer and precision therapy in the most affordable way."
Shares of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd ended at ₹968.65, down by ₹18.85, or 1.91%, on the BSE.
