Hyderabad-Based Pharmaceutical Company Launches Biosimilar Rituximab in India

Under the brand name "Maball", a drug firm called Hetero has launched biosimilar Rituximab in India. It can be used for the treatment of certain types of cancers and rheumatoid arthritis.

The product "will be marketed and distributed by Hetero Healthcare Ltd, a group company of Hetero", said the firm

Hetero Group CMD Bandi Parthasaradhi Reddy said: "The launch of Maball strengthens Hetero's position in the biosimilar market, and has enabled the company to join select biotech companies with the capability to develop, manufacture and commercialize complex monoclonal antibodies (MAB's)."

"Biosimilars is one of the key strategic business areas for Hetero. We have invested in biosimilars and will introduce more biosimilar MAB's in the future. We also have plans to introduce affordable biosimilar Rituximab into key markets outside India through our partners," he added.

"Rituximab is used alone or with other drugs to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It is also used for the treatment of other indications such as rheumatoid arthritis," said Hetero.

Source: PTI