Company

Natco launches nanotechnology cancer drug in India

Usha Sharma - Mumbai

Natco Pharma has introduced its first nanotechnology drug, 'Albupax' in the domestic market. Currently, Albupax is available in some parts of country but soon it will have pan India availability.

Albupax is used in the treatment of breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer is on the rise in India, and currently over one lakh new patients are added every year. It is estimated that by 2015, the number of new cases is likely to double.

It is the first generic version of the international brand, Abraxane, of Abraxis Biosciences, USA. Albupax, is the brand name of Natco, which consists of paclitaxel in an albumin bound nano particle form. During 2007, its annual sales were approximately $ 375 million. Each 100 mg vial of Albupax has been priced at Rs 11,500. The estimated Indian market for this product is in the region of Rs 150 crore.

According to a senior spokesperson of the company, "Albupax has the potential of becoming the single largest brand in its basket of oncology products and the company is also exploring the possibility of a tie-up for taking this brand to international markets."

Albupax replaces the conventional paclitaxel and contains the advantage of having least side effects. In the conventional paclitaxel, the solvent polyethylated castor oil is used, which causes severe side effects such as neutropenia, hyper sensitivity reactions and neuropathy. Albupax does not contain this solvent, and hence can be given in optimum doses for enhanced efficacy.