Zydus and Dr. Reddy’s to co‐market Pertuzumab biosimilar for breast cancer in India

Zydus Lifesciences Limited and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. have announced a new licensing agreement to jointly market a Pertuzumab biosimilar in India, a critical treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. This biosimilar was developed by Zydus Research Centre (ZRC). Dr. Reddy’s will co-market the product under the brand name Womab®, while Zydus will market it as Sigrima™. As part of this collaboration, Zydus will gain upfront licensing income and milestone income based on specific achievements.

Pertuzumab is an essential treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, a type of cancer characterized by the overexpression of the HER2 protein, which promotes rapid cell growth. This category of breast cancer typically requires prompt and effective treatment to prevent the disease from advancing swiftly. Pertuzumab operates by targeting the HER2 protein on cancer cells, essentially limiting cell proliferation and is crucial in both early and advanced stages of HER2-positive breast cancers when used alongside other treatments like trastuzumab and chemotherapy.

The Zydus spokesperson highlighted the significant impact of their cancer care therapies, including cytotoxic, supportive, and targeted drugs, on patient survival and quality of life. With the launch of this new drug, Zydus aims to offer a comprehensive range of treatment options for HER2-positive patients, including Sigrima™, Vivitra™ (a leading trastuzumab biosimilar), and Ujvira™ (a unique antibody drug conjugate biosimilar of trastuzumab emtansine). These combined treatments represent a milestone in HER2-targeted therapy, providing more accessible treatment options for patients in India. The spokesperson expressed satisfaction in partnering with Dr. Reddy’s to expand the reach of this innovative medicine.

Dr. Reddy’s representative emphasized the company's commitment to oncology and its efforts to provide a diverse range of treatment options, from standard care to innovative formulations and new medicines. They expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Zydus, which will increase access to this breast cancer treatment in India. The availability of biosimilar Trastuzumab (Hervycta®) in Dr. Reddy’s portfolio, combined with the new Pertuzumab biosimilar, aims to offer a complete standard of care for HER2-positive breast cancer patients in the nation.

The need for comprehensive treatment access is critical because HER2-positive cancers, which account for approximately 25% of new breast cancer cases, require a combination of treatments to manage effectively. Less than 5% of patients currently have access to this combination therapy, which includes both Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab. The introduction of the Pertuzumab biosimilar in India is expected to significantly improve access to essential combination therapies, thereby benefiting a larger population of patients in need.

The collaboration between Zydus and Dr. Reddy’s marks a significant step forward in making advanced cancer treatments more accessible in India, potentially improving outcomes for many patients battling HER2-positive breast cancer.