BIOCON LICENSES CANCER DRUG TO PAKISTANI FIRM

Indian drugmaker Biocon announced it has granted an exclusive license to Ferozsons Laboratories for marketing BIOMAb EGFR in Pakistan. The successful debut of the cancer drug in the Indian market in September 2006 has evinced strong licensing interest, according to Biocon.

The company's decision to license the drug to Ferozsons is due to its rank as the No. 1 oncology firm in Pakistan. The Pakistan oncology market is valued at approximately $70 million, according to Biocon.

BIOMAb EGFR is indicated for treating head and neck cancer and is being studied in global clinical trials for treating colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancer and glioma.

"Biocon is pleased to partner with Ferozsons for BIOMAb EGFR for the Pakistan market and heralds our efforts in extending the benefit of this best-in-class cancer drug," Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman of Biocon, said. "We believe that together we will strive to bring new treatment paradigms in cancer care in both Pakistan and India in an affordable way."