Natco Pharma launches Bortezomib injection

Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma Limited has announced the launch of its brand "� Bortenat (Bortezomib) 3.5 mg injection. Bortenat is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Bortenat would be the first time launch of the Bortezomib generic in the world, besides being introduced in India for the first time.

For Natco, this is the most significant launch after Imatinib Mesylate (launched under the brand name VEENAT), a company press release said.

Natco expects Bortenat to be a blockbuster and this launch would catapult the company to the top position among the domestic companies in the oncology segment. It has priced Bortenat at Rs 16,800 as compared with Rs 75,000 of the imported medicine.

Multiple myeloma (characterised by the abnormal plasma cell in the bone marrow) is cancer of the plasma cell, which represents the immune system that produces immunoglobulins to help fight infection and disease.

From among the several types of blood cancers, multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent and represents one per cent of all cancers, according to the press release.