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Infimab will be manufactured by Reliance Life Sciences at a facility in Mumbai.
The product was launched at the Indian Rheumatology Association Conference (IRACON), in the presence of thousands of rheumatologists and doctors from around the country.
Infimab is being introduced to the Indian market through a licensing partnership with EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, a US and Swiss-based focused on the global development and commercialization of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies.
The innovator reference product is currently marketed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Infimab marks Ranbaxy's entry into mAb (Monoclonal Antibodies) biologics, and will help the company provide greater access to quality biologic medicines in management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Mr Rajeev Sibal, VP and country head-India region, Ranbaxy, said, ".... The product has been developed as per global standards and delivers a similar clinical outcome to the innovator. It will be available in India at a very significant discount as compared to that of the innovator drug...."
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases that cause disability. The literature estimates a prevalence of 0.5% to 0.75% in India.
To manage the disease, Indian rheumatologists are using Infliximab to treat only a select set of patients because it is very expensive.
Dr Arvind Chopra, consultant rheumatologist, Pune, who was also the principal investigator of clinical trial conducted in India stated, "....The drug will not only be able to stop progression of rheumatoid arthritis but effectively control several of its complications that include bone damage, deformities and osteoporosis. Infimab also has an excellent treatment potential to treat other crippling painful arthritis like ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis."
