Zydus launches Ujvira (trastuzumab emtansine) for breast cancer treatment

Zydus Cadila launched Trastuzumab Emtansine, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) biosimilar and a drug for treating both early and advanced HER2 positive breast cancer, under the brand name ‘Ujvira’. HER2 positive breast vancer is considered an aggressive form and constitutes 20 to 25 per cent of all breast cancers.

The drug is being offered at Rs 32495 for a 100 mg vial. The current MRP of the existing Trastuzumab Emtansine drug is Rs 1,59,225 for 100 mg vial. Ujvira will be available in two strengths, 100 mg and 160 mg.

Dr Sharvil Patel, MD, Cadila Healthcare said, “The launch of Ujvira reinforces the innovation capabilities that India has to be able to create complex therapies like ADCs and Zydus’ ongoing commitment to offer breakthroughs backed by science and innovation. This research breakthrough enables access to a critical drug for patients who are undergoing therapy for Breast Cancer. We hope that with this innovation, patients will be able to adhere to the treatment and stand to benefit from the advanced technology without worrying about the cost of the treatment.”

In a statement, the company informed, “Trastuzumab Emtansine ADC biosimilar is developmental breakthrough due to its complexity in manufacturing and similarity assays. This drug is made by combining Trastuzumab and a cytotoxic compound Emtansine (DM1) with the help of a stable linker by a process called Antibody Drug Conjugation. Due to this technology, the targeted delivery of the cytotoxic agent is enabled and the other toxicities on the body are reduced. Ujvira is backed up with a rigorous drug development programme. Patients already treated with Trastuzumab may still have the disease and would require this therapy as the next step. The high cost of therapy is a barrier to availing this therapy and Ujvira bridges this need.”