News Capsule - National

Intas Biopharma to market Bortezomib injection in India

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Intas Biopharmaceuticals has launched Bortezomib injection in India under the brand name of Borviz. It is effective for the treatment of 'multiple myeloma', which is second-most common cancer of plasma cell (blood).

Industry experts estimate that domestic oncology market is Rs 900 crore, and is expected to reach Rs 3350 crore by 2012 growing with a CAGR of nearly 30 percent. Introduction of new treatments, an increasing number of patients on chemotherapy and evidence that more people are gaining access to modern targeted therapies will contribute to industry sales of cancer drugs growing at a compound rate of 12 - 15 percent.

On the launch of Borviz and new sales division Bridge, Simon Daniel, Chief Executive Marketing, Intas Biopharmaceuticals said, "In India and internationally more research is focused on discovering new modalities of treatment that can help cancer patients live longer and better lives. Our efforts to provide cost effective treatment with easier access and extensive sales network across India has worked well for us. The company has maintained a steady sales growth in the past fiscal." Bortezomib is the only proteasome inhibitor approved to treat patients with multiple myeloma.

As part of company's sales strategy to provide cost-effective novel therapies and oncology drugs, the company has launched a new sales division Bridge to strengthen its new brands of drugs and focus on specific therapeutic areas.