Synopsis :
- Cabozantinib is used for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, advanced renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, BDR Pharma said in a statement.
- Kidney cancers rank about 20th on the list of all types of cancers according to incidence and prevalence, in India
Drug firm BDR Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday said it has launched generic Cabozantinib, used for the treatment of various types of cancer , and will bring the product in India in the next few days.
Cabozantinib is used for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, advanced renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, BDR Pharma said in a statement.
“Ensuring that all our patients have access to quality-produced, world-class treatment at a reasonable rate was the main reason for launching the drug in India,” BDR Pharmaceuticals, Business Development – Director, Raheel Shah said.
The company, however, did not give any details about the cost of the drug.
Cabozantinib is prescribed for treating patients with progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer and as a second-line treatment for renal cell carcinoma apart from treating hepatocellular carcinoma, BDR Pharma said.
The drug is available in the strengths of 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg, it added.
BDR is proud to have led the way for an accessible treatment option for renal cell carcinoma patients that may alleviate the financial burden for Indian patients. BDR Pharma has been working diligently to improve the supply of accessible, high-quality medicines to Indian patients.
With its availability in tablet form which makes it easier & convenient for such patients to continue the treatment. Now with generic Pazopanib and with proven median progression free survival and better tolerability, renal cell carcinoma & soft tissue sarcoma patients will now have access to this medicine at an affordable costs that could significantly extend their lives.
Those closely following global pharma’s’ fight against the notorious coronavirus will have heard of BDR Pharmaceuticals. The Mumbai-based pharma company grabbed headlines throughout 2020-2021 for being a front runner in the race to manufacture drugs that fight the Coronavirus.
When there was an urgent need for a self-reliant supply of the virus-fighting drugs in the country, the home-based company played a significant role in manufacturing Covid-19 drugs and made a whole basket of such drugs available for the Indian patients.
The drug will be available in the form of tablets.
About Cabozantinib
Medical uses
Cabozantinib is used in two forms. A capsule form (Cometriq) is used since 2012, to treat medullary thyroid cancer and a tablet form (Cabometyx) is used since 2016, as a second line treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
In the United States, cabozantinib (Cabometyx) is also indicated for the treatment of people aged twelve years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are ineligible or refractory to radioactive iodine.
Contraindications
Cabozantinib has not been tested in pregnant women; it causes harm to fetuses in rodents. Pregnant women should not take this drug, and women should not become pregnant while taking it. It is not known if cabozantinib is excreted in breast milk.
The drug should be used with caution in people with a history of heart rhythm problems, including long QT interval.
Pharmacology
It inhibits the following receptor tyrosine kinases: MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor protein) and VEGFR, RET, GAS6 receptor (AXL), KIT), and Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3).