AstraZeneca Pharma to Launch Breast Cancer Drug

The cancer drug has received approval from both the European Union and US regulators and is set to be available in India from January 2024. The company has reported promising results from clinical trials, particularly for patients who have previously undergone anti-HER2-based regimens.

In a significant development, AstraZeneca Pharma has planned the launch of a new drug, Enhertu, aimed at treating breast cancer. The drug, an antibody-drug conjugate, specifically targets HER2-positive breast cancer cells, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.

Enhertu is a type of targeted therapy that combines an antibody with a chemotherapy payload. The drug works by delivering the chemotherapy directly to the cancer cells that have too much of a protein called HER2, which makes them grow faster and spread more easily.

The cancer drug has received approval from both the European Union and US regulators and is set to be available in India from January 2024. The company has reported promising results from clinical trials, particularly for patients who have previously undergone anti-HER2-based regimens.

This development marks a potential turning point in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, offering hope to countless patients worldwide.

Enhertu is approved by the FDA for the treatment of some adults with HER2-positive or HER2-low breast cancer who have not responded to other treatments. It can reduce the risk of disease progression or death by 50% compared to Kadcyla, and it can also improve the overall survival by more than six months

Additionally, Enhertu has shown to be more effective than the current standard of care, which is another targeted drug called trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla). Trastuzumab is a biologic agent primarily used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It may be used as adjuvant therapy for localised disease or as first-line therapy for metastatic disease.

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in four therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal & metabolism and respiratory.

Established in 1979, in India, the company aims to deliver life-changing medicines to patients through innovative science and global excellence in development. It covers the company's manufacturing, sales and marketing activities in India. AstraZeneca gained attention after the vaccine it developed with Oxford sold as Covishield in India was used worldwide as a preventive measure against the pandemic.

Days back, AstraZeneca Pharma launched COE for severe asthma treatment in Mumbai. The CoE is equipped with advanced technologies for asthma management including biologics checklists and data-driven treatment approaches. Further, the centre is expected to screen approximately 7,500+ patients within the first 12 months.

As of 2:30 PM, shares of AstraZeneca Pharma were trading at INR 5,534.35 apiece on the NSE, higher by 3.85 % from the previous session’s closing price.