Torrent Pharma launches biosimilar of auto immune drug adalimumab

Torrent Pharma has forayed into super specialty segment by launching biosimilar adalimumab, under the brand name of Adfrar, in India. Adalimumab, which is the most preferred therapy for the treatment of auto immune disorders, has wide applications like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and plaque psoriasis. Adalimumab is the largest selling drug across the globe (innovator brand Humira has sales of $ 15 billion). Torrent’s brand ‘Adfrar’ will be the second biosimilar adalimumab in the world.
 
Autoimmune disorders are growing ailments and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are becoming mainstay of treatment, therefore launch of ‘Adfrar’ is a significant step towards fortifying its presence in MAb market.
   
Torrent Pharma, which has already launched biosimilar rituximab Toritz RA in rheumatology segment, will get a major fillip with launch of biosimilar adalimumab Adfrar, making it a significant player in this super speciality segment.
 
‘Adfrar’ will be available as pre-filled syringe of 40 mg. Torrent will promote this biosimilar to rheumatologists, gastroenterologists and dermatologists pan India, for which three separate super specialty task force have been introduced. Around 100 highly trained professionals are employed in these greenfield divisions.
 
Ruchir Modi, executive director - marketing of Torrent Pharma, said, “With introduction of these new super specialty divisions, Torrent Pharma now covers most of the specialties and in near future plans to enter urology and ophthalmology segments to cover the therapy gaps with strategic fit products.”