Yabao, Changzhou Le Sun Pharmaceuticals to develop early-stage cancer drugs

Yabao, Changzhou Le Sun Pharmaceuticals to develop early-stage cancer drugs

China-based Yabao Pharmaceutical has entered into a strategic partnership with Changzhou Le Sun Pharmaceuticals to co-develop Le Sun's leading PLK/PI3K dual inhibitor LS-008, which currently is under pre-clinical development.

Under the deal, Yabao secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize LS-008 in China while Le Sun retains majority of exclusive rights in all other markets.

Both the firms will jointly determine the strategic development plan, which will be performed primarily by Yabao in China under global GLP, GMP and GCP standards.

According to the companies, the partnership helps in accelerating the development of an oncology compound in China for the globe, by leveraging the complementary strengths of a Chinese pharmaceutical firm and a world-class medicinal chemistry and drug discovery expertise.

Yabao Pharmaceutical president of R&D Peng Wang said PLK/PI3K dual inhibition represents a new and promising approach to developing new drugs for several cancers, with the most advanced compounds currently in phase III global development.

"We strongly believe LS-008 has potential to be best-in-class," Wang said.

"This ground-breaking partnership with Changzhou Le Sun Pharmaceuticals is an important sign of Yabao's growing commitment to partner the best science and leverage Yabao's strong clinical and regulatory capabilities to bring novel pharmaceuticals to patients suffering from serious diseases in China and in the world."

Changzhou Le Sun Pharmaceuticals founder and president professor Shudong Wang said: "Working together we are building on the strengths of both parties to develop potential new drug and help patients globally."

Lupin to sell LG Life's diabetes insulin in India, signs 5-year deal

Lupin to sell LG Life's diabetes insulin in India, signs 5-year deal

Pharma major Lupin on Wednesday said it has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with South Korea-based LG Life Sciences to launch insulin analogue Glargine in India.

As per the agreement, Lupin would be responsible for marketing and sales of Glargine, under the brand name Basugine, in India.

Shakti Chakraborty, group president, India region formulations, Lupin, said, "I

believe that our entry into the insulin analogue market with launch of Basugine is a step in the right direction. Lupin's foray in this segment will help us further strengthen our diabetes portfolio enabling us to grow deeper into the diabetes segment and will fuel our growth in the years to come."

The overall diabetes market size within the Indian pharmaceutical market (IPM) stood at Rs 6,032 crore, growing at 18% (IMS MAT April 2014). The total insulin analogue market size is valued at Rs 585 crore with 3 year CAGR of 24%. The oral anti-diabetes drugs (OAD) market is valued at Rs 4,512.8 crore with a growth of 19.74% (MAT April 2014).

Lupin is ranked seventh in the diabetic market with a market share of 4.21% valued at Rs 189.98 crore, growing at 21.83% (MAT April 2014).

"This is a five year agreement which is renewable. We have just launched this product this month. We see a lot of opportunity for us in this analogue space," Chakraborty told dna. The agreement has been worked out on a transfer price, that is, Lupin would buy the product from LG Life Sciences, a subsidiary company of LG, and would then sell it at at a decided price.

The total Glargine molecule market size is Rs 218.5 crore with a 3 year CAGR of 23%, currently controlled by Sanofi Aventis, Biocon and Wockhardt. Lupin is ranked second in the conventional insulin market and grew more than the industry at 10.82% in April 2014 (IMSD MAT), while the market grew at 8%.

The primary activity of insulin, including Insulin Glargine, is the regulation of glucose metabolism.

On developing its own products in the analogue space, Chakraborty further said that it will depend upon how this products fairs in the market. "There are companies who wanted to tie up with us to manufacture and develop products but it is difficult to say anything on this at this juncture. India is a diabetes capital and the usage of such products are high. So about having our own product will depend on how things shape up."

In another development, Sanofi also announced that it has entered into a marketing and distribution agreement with Emcure Pharmaceuticals (Emcure) for its oncology portfolio in India.

As per the agreement, while Sanofi will continue to own its oncology range - comprising four brands namely Taxotere, Jevtana, Fludara and Fasturtec, Emcure will market and distribute these brands through its specialty unit.

Shailesh Ayyangar, vice president - South Asia and managing director - Sanofi India and Sanofi – Synthelabo (India), said in a release, "Realising that managing the complexities of cancer necessitates the availability of a wide range of products and supporting therapies, we found that combining our efforts and product range with that of Emcure Oncology, makes immense sense for both companies."

Sanofi will continue to provide strong scientific and medical support to Emcure's already well-established and fast growing oncology business.

Sanofi Ties-up With Emcure Pharma To Market Its Oncology Portfolio In India

Sanofi Ties-up With Emcure Pharma To Market Its Oncology Portfolio In India

Sanofi India Ltd. announced that it has entered into a marketing and distribution agreement with Emcure Pharmaceuticals for its oncology portfolio in India.

Under the agreement terms, while Sanofi will continue to own its oncology range, comprising 4 brands namely Taxotere, Jevtana, Fludara and Fasturtec, Emcure will market and distribute these brands through its Specialty Unit.

Commenting on the partnership, Shailesh Ayyangar, Vice President -South Asia and Managing Director -Sanofi India and Sanofi -Synthelabo (India) Ltd. said, "Sanofi is highly committed to the field of Oncology. Realizing that managing the complexities of cancer necessitates the availability of a wide range of products and supporting therapies, we found that combining our efforts and product range with that of Emcure Oncology, makes immense sense for both companies. Doctors and patients will now have access -'under one roof' -to one of the most comprehensive and complementing Oncology portfolios in India. Sanofi will continue to provide strong scientific and medical support to Emcure's already well-established and fast growing Oncology business."

Emcure Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Satish Mehta stated, "We are delighted to be identified as the partner-of-choice by Sanofi in India; and for being entrusted with such a prestigious global Oncology portfolio. We believe that the coming together of Sanofi's innovative oncology range with Emcure's oncology portfolio empowers us to provide an even wider array of value driven healthcare solutions. We are extremely optimistic about its prospects and committed to creating a long-term partnership with Sanofi."

At the BSE, Sanofi India shares are currently trading at Rs.2,886.00, up 0.27 percent from the previous close.

Radiation oncologists' meet in Nagpur on August 15, 16

Radiation oncologists' meet in Nagpur on August 15, 16

The annual conference of Maharashtra chapter of Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) will be held on August 15 and 16 in the city. Some of the well-known oncologists from the country would be faculties at the conference. Its theme will be 'The multiplex of radiation therapy modalities: Defining the role'.

The first day of the two-day conference is dedicated to late Dr JM Pinto, the senior most radiation oncologist in the state and head of the department of radiation oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and the second day to late Dr KA Dinshaw, the former director of Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai. Topics like radiation technology, E-LORA and cancer registry will be discussed. Poster session, oral presentation and quiz sessions will be arranged for the young doctors.

"Radiation therapy is one of the most important modality in cancer treatment. The branch is just over a century old but has seen development at a rapid pace," informed Dr Krishna Kamble, organizing secretary of the conference. He said this complex history, recent developments, research in progress will all be discussed by eminent people. The highlight of the conference would be discussion on indigenous technology being developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

Nationally acclaimed speakers like Dr V Kannan from Mumbai, Dr Sumit Basu from Pune, Dr BK Mohanti and Dr DN Sharma from New Delhi, Dr Debnarayan Dutta along with Dr SD Sharma and Dr AU Sonawane from BARC will be participating in the conference.

Vaccination can prevent cervical cancer

Vaccination can prevent cervical cancer

The Clinical Society of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, in collaboration with Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India organised a two-day national seminar in Gynaecologic Oncology here last week. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr JK Singh, president of the Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India, said a statement.

In his inaugural address, Dr Singh highlighted on high prevalence of cervical cancer in India. He stated that 12,000 tele-radiotherapy machines are needed in India as per World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation. “Unfortunately, India has at present only 500 teletherapy machines. This has resulted in delay in initiation of treatment,” he said.

Prof Neerja Bhatla from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in her speech as guest of honour emphasized on human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination of young girls in the age group of 9-14 for prevention of cervical cancer.

Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, delivered a talk on ‘Pattern of care and survival studies on cervical cancer’. The outcome of 17 centres participating in the study was presented.

Kataki stated that many patients who complete treatment do not come for regular follow-up. “Most of the patients come for treatment in the advanced stage of the disease,” he said.

The seminar focused on the fact that cervical cancer is one of the commonest gynaecological cancer in the female. About 5,00,000 cervical cancer patients are detected in the world every year and India contributes to about 1,25,000 new cervical cancer cases.

The incidence of this cancer as per National Cancer Registry Programme is highest in Aizawl district of Mizoram.

Cervical cancer can be largely prevented or detected at an early stage through public education and screening procedure.

It is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and HPV vaccines can prevent it in about 80 per cent of cases.

Early marriage and childbirth, repeated childbirth, poor genital hygiene on the part of male and female, multiple sexual partners are important risk factors for cervical cancer.

The seminar participants said that unfortunately due to ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and myths associated with cancer, it is detected at a fairly advanced stage.

Cytology screening (PAP test) is gold standard for early detection of cervical cancer. Cancer of ovary is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancer in the world.

The incidence of cancer of the ovary is highest in urban Kamrup district.

Dr SP Somashekher from Manipal spoke on emerging application on robotic surgery in gynaecological malignancy.

Dr Umesh Mahanshetty from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and Dr Richa Chauhan from Patna spoke on new advances in the application of radiotherapy in the management of cervical cancer.

Dr Yogesh V Kulkarni from Mumbai and Dr Uma K Devi from Bengaluru spoke on endometrial cancer and vulval cancer respectively.

Dr Partha Sarathi Basu from Kolkata said that unfortunately there is no organised cervical cancer screening programme in India.

While HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer to the extent of 70 per cent it has not been included in the National Immunization Programme in our country, he said.

Dr Debabrata Barmon and Dr Chidananda Bhuyan from Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute also spoke on various aspects of management of gynaecological cancer.

In the scientific session for young gynaecologic oncologists, Dr Upasana Baruah and Dr Bidhan Roy from Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute presented their clinical work. The National Seminar was intended to provide opportunity to gynaecologists of Assam and North Eastern Region to update their knowledge in recent developments in the management of gynaecologic oncology.

 

India’s Cipla to Invest £100m in UK R&D

India’s Cipla to Invest £100m in UK R&D

Cipla Limited, a global healthcare company, announced in collaboration with the UK Government, its intention to make investments of up to £100 million in its UK subsidiary over the next few years.

Said The Right Honourable George Osborne, chancellor of the Exchequer, Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom: “I am happy to be able to announce that Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla will invest up to £100 million in the UK. The investment will fund the launch of a range of drugs in the areas of respiratory, oncology and antiretroviral medicines as well as research and development, clinical trials and further expansion internationally and in the UK.

Cipla is one of India's leading pharmaceutical firms and this decision shows the UK's international strength and attractiveness in this sector as well as its growing importance in Cipla’s long term strategy" said the Chancellor

“On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the British National Health Service (NHS) Cipla believes that, by providing high quality affordable medicines for patients, it can contribute cost effective solutions for the NHS. We are very pleased to be making this investment in the UK. We were impressed with the pro-active support and engagement that the UK Government and its various ministries showed in attracting Cipla to choose the UK as a key hub in our global footprint” said Rajesh Garg, global chief financial O\officer and member of the board of Cipla.

 

Cost-effective screening for cervical cancer in Chennai

Cost-effective screening for cervical cancer in Chennai

The Department of Molecular Oncology of Cancer Institute has developed a modified Elisa technique to enable population-based cervical cancer screening in a cost-effective manner. It has filed for a patent and is in the process of transferring the technology to a Government of India subsidiary company.

T. Rajkumar, head of Molecular Oncology, said conventionally, the pap smear test is being used for screening women for cervical cancer. “We need highly trained pathologists or cytologists for diagnosis and there are not many in the country. Hence, the Government of India decided that pap smear cannot apply for a population-based screening,” he said at a function to hand over the Ion Torrent PGM Unit to the institute on Wednesday. As of now, village health nurses were trained to detect abnormal cervix by visual inspection with acetic acid. He said this was low-cost but had problems of low sensitivity.

“We have developed Double Antibody Sandwich Elisa for detection of p16 – a protein that forms after Human Papillomavirus infection is established. It can be done at the point of care such as primary health centres,” he explained. This can help in early diagnosis of cervical cancer, even in the pre-cancerous stage.

V. Shanta, chairperson of Cancer Institute, said Thermo Fisher Life Science Solutions, represented on the occasion by its managing director, Dev Ohri, was donating the Ion Torrent PGM Unit costing Rs. 75 lakh as part of its corporate social responsibility.