Mumbai: Drugmaker Cadila Healthcare Ltd has launched in India the first bio similar version of the anti-inflammatory medicine adalimumab, the world's top-selling drug, at a fifth of its US price. The drug's branded version is sold under the name Humira by U.S. firm AbbVie Inc, and costs $1,000 for a vial in the United States.
Humira had sales of $3.26 billion in the quarter ended September, accounting for 65 percent of AbbVie's total revenue.
The company will launch its version under the name Exemptia. The drug will help millions of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and other auto immune disorders.
Biosimilars are cheaper copies of biotech drugs - medicines made from proteins and other large molecules.
The company expects sales between Rs 1-2 billion from its biosimilar of Humira in the Indian market.
Zydus Cadila currently employs over 16,000 people across the world and is targeting to achieve sales of over Rs 10,000 crore by 2015.
