Tag Cancer Treatment

Fillip to cancer patients

India is considered to be the “cancer capital” of the world

Three cancer drugs were exempted from customs duty while reducing the levy on x-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in x-ray machines from 15% to 5%. Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and it is affecting younger age groups now. Targeted therapy drugs, which cost around Rs 5 lakh a month, are holding out hope for patients as they prolong life by precisely identifying and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. They are better than other cancer therapies.

By reducing the financial burden on the patients, this move is expected to improve access to advanced cancer treatments. Dr Narayana Subramaniam, Senior Consultant and Director, Head and Neck Surgery and Director of Clinical Innovation at Sparsh Hospitals, in Bengaluru. said, “Cancer treatment often involves a significant financial burden for patients and their families. By exempting the drugs from customs duty, the government has taken a concrete step towards alleviating this burden, making essential medications more affordable for those in need across the country”

About Dr Narayana Subramaniam

Dr. Narayana Subramaniam is a national and international award-winning head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgeon. His expertise lies in ablative surgery of the oral cavity, oropharynx, salivary glands, thyroid, larynx, pharynx, sinonasal cavity and anterior skull base, with significant experience in a salvage (post-radiotherapy) and re-operative setting. He also performs regional and microvascular (free) flap reconstruction, with a special interest in facial nerve reanimation, prefabricated dental rehabilitation (jaw-in-a-day) and secondary reconstruction (delayed reconstruction of post-cancer defects).

Passionate about research, he has written a popular textbook on head and neck cancer, published over one hundred and twenty articles and/or book chapters (h-index 14), and given over one hundred talks and lectures in national and international forums. He has trained over 25 fellows from 6 countries and was designated a Professor by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

 Mumbai, India, January 31, 2024: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), a leading, research-driven, global pharmaceutical company, and Ichnos Sciences Inc. (Ichnos), its global fully integrated, clinical-stage biotech subsidiary, today announced the launch of their alliance – Ichnos Glenmark Innovation – to accelerate new drug discovery in cancer treatment. This alliance combines Glenmark’sresearch and development proficienciesin small molecules with those of Ichnos in novel biologics to continue developing cutting-edge therapy solutions that treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

 The newly formed IGI features a robust pipeline of three innovative oncology molecules targeting multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and solid tumors currently undergoing clinical trials. Two of these molecules have received orphan drug designation from the U.S. FDA. Additionally IGI has two autoimmune disease assets that have been out licensed to leading companies.

 Harnessing the combined proficiency of over 150 scientists, IGI will leverage the capabilities of its three global centers of innovation. These comprise the Ichnos’ headquarters in New York City, NY, USA, which is focused on clinical development; the biologics research center in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Glenmark’s small molecule
research center at Mahape in Mumbai, India.

 “We are proud to announce the Ichnos Glenmark Innovation alliance, which brings together the legacy of Glenmark and passion of Ichnos to accelerate the search for curing cancer. Innovation is an integral part of our organization’s fabric and through IGI, we are confident of getting closer to our quest to develop a novel cancer drug for the world. Additionally, this will also enhance shareholder value by optimizing the cost of
development.” remarked Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

 Cyril Konto, President and CEO, Ichnos Glenmark Innovation, said, “Ichnos Glenmark Innovation is a collaborative venture backed by a strong, collective pipeline of novel multispecifics and small molecules. Supported by an experienced leadership and comprising a team that ardently believes in challenging the frontiers of science, IGI seeks to accelerate drug development by combining technologies, expertise, and forces while leveraging Glenmark’s footprint in India. We look forward to joining hands with other like-minded entities, including biotech companies and academia.”