Bangalore-based biotechnology has launched 'Biomab-Egfr" monoclonal antibody-based drug

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200609181421.htm
Biocon launches cancer drug 'Biomab-Egfr'

Mumbai, Sept. 18 (PTI): Bangalore-based biotechnology major, Biocon Ltd
has launched 'Biomab-Egfr', a therapeutic monoclonal antibody-based drug
for treating solid tumors of epithelial origin, such as head and neck
cancers.

This drug is engineered to specifically target and block the epidermal
growth factor receptor (EGFR) responsible for the proliferation of cancer
cells, Biocon said today.

Biomab-Egfr would be available as a unit carton of four 10 ml vials and
was launched across the country, it added.

"This launch spearheads Biocon's foray into proprietary immunotherapeutics
and today we join the exclusive league of monoclonal antibody developers
worldwide. Biomab-Egfr is competitively priced, making cancer treatment
more affordable. We aspire to become a key player in this segment," Biocon
Chairman and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said.

The drug is the first of its kind to be clinically developed in India and
is the first anti-EGFR humanised monoclonal antibody for cancer and would
be made available commercially anywhere in the world.

The product has shown consistent response in clinical trials initiated
both in India and globally and would be produced at its manufacturing
facility - Biocon Park.

Biomab-Egfr targets the human EGFR, a type of protein found on the surface
of both normal and cancer cells and in many cancer cells EGFR is
overproduced, leading to their uncontrolled and abnormal growth.

This role of EGFR in malignant cell formation has prompted the development
of biological agents, such as Biomab-Egfr that disrupts and inhibits the
EGFR signaling process.

Biomab-Egfr is indicated for use in combination with radiation therapy or
chemotherapy in patients with positive expression of EGFR in squamous cell
carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer and frequently arises on the
sun-exposed skin of middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Immunotherapeutics is a new class of drugs that effectively address unmet
needs, particularly in oncology and autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Psoriasis, and Lupus.

Around 100 per 100,000 population, and the highest rates of head and neck
cancers are reported in South Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka.
In fact, the Indian sub-continent accounts for one-third of the world
burden of head and neck cancers.
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cannot find at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
J
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Biocon?s novel cancer drug Biomab undergoes clinical trial in K?taka

Thursday, July 21, 2005 13:00 IST
Our Bureau, Bangalore

The trials are on at three leading hospitals in the state which include
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Manipal Hospital in Bangalore and
Mangalore

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