AstraZeneca gets nod to launch cancer drug

NEW DELHI: AstraZeneca Pharma India has received permission to import for sale and distribution of Durvalumab 120 mg/2.4 mL and 500 mg/10 mL solution for infusion from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), subject to the receipt of related statutory approvals.
“Durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Durvalumab as monotherapy after surgery, is indicated for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumours 4 cm and/or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements”, says a company statement.
According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, lung cancer remains the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality in India. Around 15% of patients with NSCLC in India have resectable disease representing a significant patient population.