Biocon gets DCGI nod to launch cancer drug

Bangalore-based bio-technology firm, Biocon has received approvals from the Drug Controller General of India to market ABRAXANE (Nanoparticles based, albumin bound paclitaxel) in India.

ABRAXANE has been approved for use in the treatment of breast cancer and will facilitate affordable access of high-quality supportive care therapy to cancer patients in India.

ABRAXANE is a product of Abraxis BioScience, Inc. USA. Biocon recently announced a licensing agreement with the company for the commercialisation of ABRAXANE in India.

ABRAXANE uses albumin, a human protein, to deliver paclitaxel unlike the conventional form that uses chemical solvents, like Cremophors which are known to cause hypersensitive allergenic reactions. This eliminates the need for pre-medication with steroids or antihistamines. This also reduces infusion time from 3 hours for Cremophor based paclitaxel to just 30 minutes for ABRAXANE, the company said in a notification to BSE today.