Dabur Pharma introduces Nanoxel for cancer therapy

New Delhi, Jan 4 (UNI) Taking a giant leap for cancer chemotherapy, Dabur Pharma Ltd today announced the launch of Nanoxel, a novel drug delivery system for the widely used anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel, for the Indian markets being produced with the application of nanotechnology.

The price of the drug is fixed at Rs 16,000 for one cycle of chemotherapy administration and is available in all cancer therapy providers from today.

''The drug will be available for European and the US markets after 18-36 months once the approval is made by the USFDA,'' Dabur Pharma Chairman Anand C Burman told reporters here today.

It will also be made available in the neighbouring countries, he said adding that the new drug will ensure higher doses with predictable results and less side effects, he added.

The R&D and clinical costs incurred amounted to Rs 12 crore.

''The Paclitaxel has a fairly interesting market in the US and Europe accouting 400 million dollars and we expect that it will be a susbstantial market for us,'' Mr Burman said.

He said the company will sell Paclitaxel nanoparticle injections, used in the treatment of cancer, in the US market by month-end.

Dr Rama Mukherjee, President R&D at Dabur Research Foundation said that with the launch of Nanoxel, Dabur Pharma expects to bring hope of better and safer therapy to a number of ailing cancer patients in India who have suffered for want of a reliable yet cost effective cancer treatment.

''Nanoparticle drug delivery enable therapy to take a preferential course to the cancerous cells and directly interact with the tumor causing agents therby thowing a larger window for anti-tumor activity,'' said Dr S H Advani, Director of Medical Oncology Jaslok Hospital.

UNI