Indian drugmakers muscle in on biosimilars development

Therapeutic proteins (biosimilars) manufactured from natural sources and providing solutions for several unmet clinical needs are the next big thing in India. Adoption, growing investment and deal making in the global arena has got several Indian companies tuning in to biosimilars, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

Though the high price of biologic therapies is a great burden on healthcare costs globally and a majority of patients in India still cannot afford these drugs, Indian drug majors are stepping up investments to tap the growing opportunities overseas.

While Cipla recently signed a memorandum of understanding to set up South Africa's first biosimilars manufacturing facility at a cost of nearly $91 million, Intas Pharma is gearing up for US approval for its Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) biosimilar this year.