Razumab (ranibizumab biosimilar) is launched in India for degenerative conditions of the eye- Intas Pharma

Intas Pharmaceuticals has launched Razumab, its biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab) in India. Intas is the first company globally to develop and launch a biosimilar version of ranibizumab. Razumab is manufactured under strict guidelines for sterile use in the eye and is offered as single dose vial, thus reducing the risk of contamination during use.

Ranibizumab is a therapeutic antibody fragment designed specifically for treating degenerative conditions of the eye. It blocks the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A), a protein which when overexpressed leads to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, that can cause leaks and vision loss. Ranibizumab is indicated for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common degenerative condition of the eyes in the elderly. It is also indicated for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema and vision loss resulting from choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia (mCNV).

Razumab is a 100% 'Made In India' molecule. Razumab will be about 25% cheaper than the imported Lucentis in the hand of the patient. This would lead to an annual saving of about Rs. 35,000 or more in the cost of treatment to the patient, depending on the number of injections used and the clinical condition of the patient. The Intas objective is to make the treatment available to a wider patient pool, that is as yet denied treatment due to the high cost of imported Lucentis.