The drug is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer

 Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited, India's leading Oncology drug marketing company, is launching pemetrexed in the Indian market under the brand name Pemmet. Pemetrexed is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer caused primarily due to smoking and Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by Asbestos exposure.

Announcing the marketing launch of Pemmet, Simon Daniel, chief executive, marketing, Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited, said, "The introduction of Pemmet is going to strengthen our domestic market share in the oncology segment. With increase prevalence of smoking, lung cancer incidence has also increased in India." The company has a strong drug portfolio catering to lung cancer, which comprises of Geffy, Gemibine, Carbopa, Taxocare, and Cytax. Lung cancer, accounts for one third of all cancer deaths and cigarette smoking contributes nearly 85-90% of the total cancer deaths.

"With the launch of Pemmet, we intend to add revenues of Rs6-7 crore in the next 1 year. Our sales strategy combined with timely product launches catering to specific therapeutic segments has ensured great success for us at the sales front," he added.

Sharing views on efficacy of the drug, Chirag Teli, medical advisor of the firm, said, "Pemetrexed is used in treatment of some form of lung cancer in new as well as refractory or relapsed cases, in which previous chemotherapy drug(s) have failed. It is also used in treatment of mesothelioma, which is cancer of covering of lung known as 'pleura', where it is the only approved chemotherapy drug."

As per recent studies and estimates more than 90,000 men and 79,000 women are diagnosed each year with cancer of the lungs and bronchi (the air tubes leading to the lungs). Along with men, the incidence of lung cancer continues to increase also in women. The number of lung cancer deaths among women surpasses those from breast cancer. Female smokers may be more likely to develop lung cancer than male smokers.

DNA Money Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication