Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. on July 26 announced that it has launched Hervycta (Trastuzumab), a biosimilar of Roche’s Herceptin in the country for the treatment of HER2-positive cancers.

Hervycta is available in 150mg and 440mg multiple dose vials, the Pharmaceutical company said in a release here. Commenting on the launch, MV Ramana, CEO- Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories,said Hervycta is a step forward in our effort to accelerate access to cancer patients in India, in the Oncology biosimilar space.”

Dr Raymond De Vré, Senior Vice President and Head, Biologics, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said the launch of Hervycta will immensely benefit women in India who are suffering from HER2-positive breast cancer and are in need of access to high quality, affordable and innovative medicines.

Herceptin (marketed as Herclon™ in India) and its biosimilars had India sales of approximately Rs 290 Crore MAT for the most recent twelve months ending in December 2017, according to Ipsos. Dr Reddy’s currently has four biosimilar products commercialized in India and various emerging markets, and an active pipeline of several biosimilar products in the oncology and immunology space.