Hetero launches biosimilar Rituximab in India

Drug firm Hetero has launched biosimilar Rituximab in India used for treatment of certain types of cancers and rheumatoid arthritis under the brand name 'Maball'.
The product "will be marketed and distributed by Hetero Healthcare Ltd, a group company of Hetero", the firm said in a statement.
Commenting on the launch, Hetero Group CMD Bandi Parthasaradhi Reddy said: "The launch of Maball strengthens Hetero's position in the biosimilar market, and has enabled the company to join select biotech companies with the capability to develop, manufacture and commercialise complex monoclonal antibodies (MAB's)."
"Biosimilars is one of the key strategic business areas for Hetero. We have invested in biosimilars and will introduce more biosimilar MAB's in the future. We also have plans to introduce affordable biosimilar Rituximab into key markets outside India through our partners," he added.

The company's product is a biosimilar version of Roche's Rituximab, Hetero said.
It further said, "Rituximab is used alone or with other drugs to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It is also used for the treatment of other indications such as rheumatoid arthritis.