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OncologyUpdate
Biocon & HCG Join Hands to Fight Against Cervical Cancer
Biocon and HCG Group of hospitals recently announced their
partnership to conduct a study to evaluate the potential benefits of BIOMAb
EGFR in cervical cancer patients. This unique molecule would take healthcare
for cervical cancer patients to a new threshold. BIOMAb EGFR is Biocon's humanised
monoclonal antibody which is approved for the treatment of head and neck cancers
in India.
The study will be conducted for six years in various centers
of HCG across the country, involving many eminent oncologists and will be in
compliance to ICH-GCP guidelines. The participating centers are Bangaluru, Mysore,
Vijayavada, Ranchi, Cuttack and Nashik.
"This partnership is in light of the unmet need for
an effective treatment option for the large number of cervical cancer patients
in our country. I see this collaborative model of Biocon's unique humanised
MAb and HCG's state of the art facilities as a big step towards developing India
as a global destination for translational research and cutting edge clinical
trials," said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, MD, Biocon Ltd.
Said Dr Ajai Kumar, Chairman and CEO of HCG, "This HCG-led
study will be conducted in a well controlled manner specifically keeping in
mind the needs of the Indian patients which vary considerably from those of
the West. Most treatment for this disease is currently based on data obtained
from the western world. We chose BIOMAb EGFR taking into account the safety
profile this molecule has displayed in addition to results obtained in the other
studies with this drug".
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in
India and is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in developing countries.
To an estimated annual global incidence of 500,000 cervical cancers, India contributes
one fifth of the world burden. Cervical cancer is responsible for more than
280,000 deaths annually worldwide. In India the number of deaths due to cervical
cancer is estimated to rise to 79,000 by the year 2010.
EH News Bureau
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