Dr. Reddy’s Launches New Biosimilar for Cancer Treatment in India
Hyderabad: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories announced today that it has entered the Indian biosimilar immuno-oncology market with the launch of Nivorz, a biosimilar version of Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab). This new medication has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for use in treating 12 different types of cancers, including lung, kidney, and melanoma.
Nivorz has been developed and manufactured at Dr. Reddy’s biologics facility in Bachupally, Hyderabad. The approval covers effective treatments for various solid tumors and blood cancers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing cancer care in India.
The development of Nivorz involved an extensive clinical study conducted across multiple countries, including tests on 288 patients, with the majority—252—coming from India and 36 from Russia. Results from these studies showed that Nivorz has similar effectiveness and safety as the original nivolumab.
Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the PD-1 immune checkpoint, which helps the immune system recognize and combat cancer cells. The biosimilar will be available in single-dose vials in different strengths: 40 mg/4 mL, 100 mg/10 mL, and 240 mg/24 mL.
This move enhances Dr. Reddy’s oncology portfolio, particularly in the immuno-oncology sector, which is expected to grow significantly, reaching around ₹3,900 crore by 2025. This growth is driven primarily by checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and other similar drugs.
Dr. Sridevi Khambhampaty, who leads the biologics division at Dr. Reddy’s, noted that the introduction of Nivorz is a significant achievement for the company. MV Ramana, CEO of Global Generics at Dr. Reddy’s, emphasized that affordable biosimilars like Nivorz can help make cancer treatments more accessible for patients in need.
