Page 144 - CW E-Magazine (19-8-2025)

Pharmaceuticals

UNDER-THE-SKIN INJECTION
Roche’s quick-acting cancer injection gets India

nod with Phase IV trial condition

The technical committee constituted with a condition that the company would tor, which blocks the immune system’s
for supervising clinical trials on new conduct a Phase IV clinical trial in India. natural brakes to help immune cells
chemical entities has reportedly cleared fi ght cancer.
Swiss drug fi rm Roche to import and mar- “Switching from intravenous (IV)
ket cancer drug Atezolizumab injection to subcutaneous (SC) administration of The technical committee under the
(Tecentriq) through subcutaneous (SC) Atezolizumab can potentially reduce costs Director General of Health Services (DGHS)
route - under the skin injection – for Indian due to decreased healthcare professional was formed in 2013 following the direc-
patients. time and improved patient convenience,” tions of the Supreme Court. Atezolizumab
a government offi cial was quoted as say- is indicated for the treatment of patients
The decisions is expected to provide ing in an Economic Times report. “Tecen- with locally advanced or metastatic non-
relief to patients in the country as the new triq may be administered by a healthcare small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after prior
subcutaneous injections will cut treatment professional outside of the hospital, in a chemotherapy. It is a monotherapy for the
time to nearly seven minutes from the community care setting or at a patient’s fi rst line treatment of patients of metastatic
30-60 minutes in the standard intravenous home,” he added. NSCLC. The committee has asked the
(IV) infusion, besides saving on costs. company to submit Phase IV clinical trial
Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy protocol to CDSCO within three months
The panel’s permission has been given called an immune checkpoint inhibi- of grant of marketing authorisation.

TACKLING RUMOURS
No ban on paracetamol drug: Govt. informs Parliament

The Central Drugs Standard Control is not in receipt of information about The Minister also informed the Upper
Organisation (CDSCO) has not banned rumours” of the regulatory body banning House that the government has rolled out
the commonly used paracetamol drug in paracetamol. the free drugs service initiative under the
India, the Government told Rajya Sabha. National Health Mission (NHM) under the
While 156 fi xed-dose combinations Union Health Ministry. She also pointed
Replying to a written query in Rajya (FDCs), including some involving para- out that this aims to ensure availability of
Sabha, Union Minister of State for Chemi- cetamol, have been banned in public essential drugs and reduce out-of-pocket
cals and Fertilisers Ms. Anupriya Patel interest, the standalone drug paracetamol expenditure of patients visiting the pub-
said, “The Ministry of Health and Family remains approved and widely available, lic health facilities, including government
Welfare has informed that the CDSCO the Minister clarifi ed. hospitals and rural primary health centres.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Emcure Pharma posts strong Q1 net profi t growth

Pune-based Emcure Pharmaceuticals to 19.2 percent. Gross profi t stood at percent on the back of early traction from
has reported a strong performance for the Rs. 1,299-crore, representing a 14.7 new products. The domestic business
fi rst quarter ended June 30, 2025, regis- percent increase over Q1FY25. also posted a 9.4 percent YoY growth at
tering a 15.7 percent year-on-year (YoY) Rs. 995-crore, led by key therapies and
increase in revenue from operations at Emcure’s international business supported by new initiatives in dermatology
Rs. 2,101-crore and a 40.8 percent rise in remained a key growth driver, growing and over-the-counter (OTC) segments.
net profi t at Rs. 215-crore. 22.1 percent YoY to Rs. 1,106-crore. The During the quarter, Emcure expanded
Rest of the World segment rose by 41.9 its strategic partnership with Sanofi and
The company delivered a consolidated percent, Canada posted a 16.4 percent will now market and distribute Sanofi ’s
EBITDA of Rs. 404-crore, up 20.1 percent increase driven by new launches and oral anti-diabetic portfolio along with its
YoY, with EBITDA margins improving market share gains, and Europe grew 12.8 cardiovascular range.

144 Chemical Weekly August 19, 2025

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