Roche launches new breast cancer drugs in India

New Delhi: Swiss drug major Roche has launched in India two new medicines for treating breast cancer claiming increased survival benefit and improved quality of life for patients.

"The new drugs, 'Perjeta' and 'Kadcyla', have been shown to both extend survival and improve quality of life in their approved applications for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer," Roche Pharma India said in a statement.

The company, however, did not share the pricing details of the two drugs.

Roche Pharma India Managing Director Maturin Tchoumi said: "The introduction of these therapies is a significant milestone in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in India and reaffirms our commitment to bring Roche's innovative medicines to patients in India as quickly as possible."

These targeted medicines represent a completely new way to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, with which the company aims to help women in India live as long and as well as possible, he added.

"With its targeted breast cancer medicine Herclon (globally known as Herceptin), Roche has helped transform the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer over the last several years in India," Roche said.

Roche Products (India) Private Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Switzerland based Roche Group and has products in therapeutic areas such as oncology, virology, transplantation, anemia and rheumatoid arthritis.