Biocon launches insulin Glargine in disposable pens in Japan

Biocon on Friday said it has begun selling biosimilar insulin Glargine in disposable pens in the second-largest market for insulin outside of the US and Europe.

The Japanese Glargine market is estimated to be around $144 million, Biocon said in a statement. Biocon is the first company to enter the biosimilars space and launch it in a highly regulated developed market. It expects to launch similar products in the US and Europe.

The ready-to-use prefilled disposable pen with insulin Glargine is manufactured at its unit by Biocon in Bengaluru and is being sold by its partner Fujifilm Pharma in Japan.

The Japanese firm has conducted local phase III clinical trials in over 250 Type 1 diabetes patients in Japan.

Japanese regulators had visited the facility in Bengaluru, which produces Basalog One, the branded product sold in India, prior to the approval. The pen assembly facility was inaugurated in September 2015.

Biocon stock rose 2.4% or Rs 17.10 at Rs 729.8 at 9.18 am on the Bombay Stock Exchange.