Azadine Helps Fight Against MDS & AML Types Of Cancer

Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of the leading Pharmaceutical Organizations of India has reinforced its oncology product range by successfully introducing for the first time in India, Azacitidine molecule in Azadine. Azacitidine induces antineoplastic activity via two mechanisms; inhibition of DNA methyltransferase at low doses, causing hypomethylation of DNA, and direct cytotoxicity in abnormal hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow through its incorporation into DNA and RNA at high doses, resulting into tumourous cell death. Azacitidine has been approved by the U.S. FDA since May, 2004.  

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells and there are abnormal (blast) cells in the blood and/or in the bone marrow. Advanced stages of MDS may lead to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). It is estimated that 4-5 people per 1,00,000 suffer from MDS/AML Data extrapolated to Indian population from global epidemiologic studies suggest that the disease burden of MDS in India is likely to be sizeable. Also, cytogenetic studies suggest that MDS patients in India get affected by the disease at a younger age and also tend to have a “higher risk”

Currently, for combating this type of Cancer in the country, oncologists have to rely on an imported version of Azacitidine. The treatment cost of imported Azacitidine can range between Rupees 15-18 lakhs. The cost of treatment with other options ranging from conventional agents to transplants may cost between 2 lakh to 15 lakh. Azadine has been priced with an objective to make it accessible to a majority of the needy patients. It is priced at 1/5^th of the innovator brand. Azacitidine is the only drug which has been shown to prolong overall survival duration, prolong time to transformation into AML, increase response rate, reduce transfusion burden & improve quality of life. Azacitidine will also offer better convenience and compliance and reduce hospital visits due to subcutaneous administration.  

Azadine is manufactured in the state of the art, Intas SEZ facility in Ahmedabad, Gujarat which is spread over 35,565 sq. mts. The plant has dedicated manufacturing facilities for Cytotoxic formulations (Tablet, Capsule, Liquid Injection, Lyophilized Injection, Ointment) and Other Oral Solids (Tablets, Capsules). This plant operates in compliance with global regulatory standards like USFDA, MHRA and ANVISA. 

Intas is a leading multi-specialty Pharmaceutical organization committed to deliver affordable and innovative pharmaceutical solutions. The company is now the 12^th largest pharmaceutical company in the domestic market (as per IMS Health India, Secondary Stockist Audit (SSA), April 2014 MAT). Intas is one of the leading players in chronic therapy in domestic market. Its portfolio extends to central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular system (CVS), oncology, diabetes, gastroenterology, pain management, urology, nephrology, gynecology, infertility and respiratory care. Intas has presence in more than 70 countries worldwide with robust sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure in highly regulated markets like North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand among others.