India-based Biocon is likely to launch the Swiss drugmaker Roche's Herceptin (trastuzumab) biosimilar version by the end of 31 March 2014, following the latter's decision to give up a patent fight over the breast cancer drug in the country.
Biocon CEO Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was quoted by Rediff as saying that the company has completed the Phase-III trials and are awaiting the result.
"We are sure the product will be launched this financial year," Mazumdar-Shaw added.
Roche's decision to back off from Herceptin patent fight follows after the Kolkata Patent office revoked the drug's divisional patents and the government's plans to a compulsory license on the medicine.
Apart from Biocon, two other Indian firms, namely Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Intas Pharmaceuticals are planning to launch their own version of Herceptin biosims.
