Cipla links with Hetero for biosimilar Aranesp; M&A in Yemen

Cipla (BSE: 500087) has collaborated with fellow Indian drugmaker Hetero to launch a biosimilar of the drug darbepoetin alfa, US biotech major Amgen's (Nasdaq: AMGN) anemia drug Aranesp, under the brand name Actorise.

The collaboration stands as a multi-partner co-marketing deal which offers Cipla a license to make the drug accessible to a wide number of patients in India. Actorise (Darbepoetin alfa) is available with stockists across the country in two SKUs – 25mcg at 1,500 rupees and 40mcg in 2,200 rupees.

“Following the launch of our first biosimilar product Etacept (etanercept) in collaboration with our partner from China last year, we are now excited to introduce Actorise (darbepoetin alfa) as the second product in partnership with Hetero in our biosimilar portfolio,” said Jaideep Gogtay, chief medical officer of Cipla.