Cipla has launched pirfenidone in India under the brand name pirfenex, for the treatment of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pirfenidone is a novel anti-fibrotic drug which through clinical trials has shown to slow down progression of this terminal disease and stabilise lung function.

A chronic progressive form of lung disease, IPF has average survival rates as low as three to five years which is less than many cancers. Till now there is no approved treatment for IPF. Cipla’s technical prowess along with leadership in terms of range of drugs and therapeutic categories in the respiratory segment, is leading the fight to provide world class affordable treatment for patients with orphan diseases.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Jaideep Gogtay, medical director, Cipla said, “The launch of pirfenex is a significant step forward. With increased availability and affordability, pirfenex could now offer hope to those afflicted with this condition.”
 
Pirfenex will be manufactured at Cipla’s manufacturing facility at Himachal Pradesh, which is approved by WHO, MCC –South Africa and TGA – Australia. In addition to the launch, Cipla will host and disseminate a series of lectures on IPF to physicians in India and across the world.

Addressing the delegates professor Luca Richeldi, director, Center for Rare Lung Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy said, "Patients affected by IPF have a distinctively poor prognosis, and until now no drugs have been approved to treat IPF. Pirfenidone represents the first concrete chance of slowing down disease progression. The effect on increasing progression free survival, as showed in three combined studies, coupled with an acceptable safety profile, opens up a new path for better management of IPF."

Last year Cipla launched the world’s first generic bosentan, for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. With the launch of pirfenex, Cipla reaffirms its leadership in the respiratory arena with products and services in eight therapeutic areas ie asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, respiratory infections, pulmonary and critical care, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung cancer and IPF.