Released on: May 25, 2008, 11:54 pm

Press Release Author: Siddharth J. Baad

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited is all set to market Lung
Cancer drug, GEFITINIB, under brand name "GEFFY", in Indian market.

Press Release Body: In line with company's sales strategy to market novel targeted
therapies, Intas Biopharmaceuticals will market GEFFY for treatment of Lung cancer
especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The new drug GEFFY is a class of
anti-cancer medications called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine
kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a certain naturally occurring
substance that may be needed to help cancer cells multiply.

Intas Biopharmaceuticals is consolidating its presence in the domestic oncology
market by focussing on marketing novel therapies and drugs that cater to Solid
Tumours, Haematology and Supportive Therapies. Expanding its current portfolio of
lung cancer drugs, which comprises of GEMIBINE, CARBOPA, TAXOCARE, and CYTAX,
company is eying to grab a major market share in India.

Announcing the marketing launch of GEFFY, MR. SIMON DANIEL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE,
MARKETING, INTAS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED, said, "The introduction of GEFFY in our
product basket is going to strengthen our domestic market share for the lung cancer
market. With increase prevalence of smoking, lung cancer has reach epidemic
proportions in India. It has surpassed the earlier form of cancer that of
oropharynx, and now is the commonest malignancy in males. In addition to smoking,
occupational exposure to carcinogens indoor air pollution and dietary factors have
recently been implicated in the causation of lung cancer.
In view of our large population, the burden of lung cancer will be enormous in
India. As of today, drugs, catering to lung cancer, have market potential of
approximately Rs. 80 crores in India. With introduction of GEFFY in our product
basket, we look to tap nearly 15-20 percent of total lung cancer market in the first
year."

Sharing views on safety and efficacy of GEFITINIB drug, DR. VIMAL SANGHAVI, HEAD
(MEDICAL SERVICES), INTAS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED, said, "Molecular genetics of
lung cancer has opened up new vistas of research and targeted anti-cancer therapies
are the subject of ongoing research and that offer potential of cancer therapy with
minimal side effects. The majority of patients with NSCLC eventually develop
metastatic disease or disease that is not amenable to local therapies only and are
potential candidates for systemic therapies.
As GEFITINIB is a selective chemotherapeutic agent, its tolerability profile is far
superior to previous cytotoxic agents. It has the potential to shrink tumour size,
stabilise disease and relieve debilitating symptoms, without the toxic effects of
traditional chemotherapy. With already established preclinical studies, GEFITINIB
effectively 'switches off' EGFR signalling system, which is the system that triggers
cancer cells to divide out of control."

As per recent studies and estimates, more than 90,000 men and 79,000 women are
diagnosed each year with cancer of the lungs and bronchi (the air tubes leading to
the lungs). Among men, the incidence of lung cancer has been declining, but it
continues to increase among women. The number of lung cancer deaths among women
surpasses those from breast cancer. Female smokers may be more likely to develop
lung cancer than male smokers.

About Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited
Starting with a product basket of a few oncology products in 1999, today, Intas
Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. can boast of one of the most comprehensive oncology product
basket comprising of 26 products in different dosage forms (capsules, injections,
tablets and pre-filled syringes). Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited is the first
biotechnology company in India to come out with four biopharmaceutical products and
is the only company in Gujarat, which is involved in Research & Development,
Manufacturing and Marketing of Recombinant Protein Products related to Oncology
(Cancer). Till date, IBPL has marketed more than 2,50,000 syringes of G-CSF and EPO
each that catered to the needs of more than 30,000 patients. Each day, there is a
significant addition to these numbers as more patients are benefited from our
Oncology and Nephrology products.

In addition to marketing oncology products, through its own team of sales
professionals, Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. has entered into several co-marketing
and contract manufacturing agreements with leading pharmaceuticals/biotech companies
across the country. These agreements include supply/distribution of
Biopharmaceuticals products in Oncology and Nephrology segments. IBPL is looking to
enter into a variety of strategic marketing and distribution deals with leading
companies in India.


Web Site: http://www.intasbiopharma.co.in

Contact Details: Plot No. 423/P/A/GIDC, Sarkhej-Bavla Highway
Moraiya, Tal: Sanand, Ahmedabad - 382 210 INDIA
Tel: 0091-02717- 660100/660101; Fax: 0091-02717- 251189