GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK), a leading MNC with net sales of over Rs.2,100 crore, has launched two drugs Revolade and Votrient in India. Both the drugs will be marketed by the oncology division of GSK. The market size of oncology segment is estimated around Rs.1200 crore in India and growing at a rate of 16-17 per cent. The launch of new products will be benefited more than 2000 patients. The company is planning to import these two patented products from UK.

Speaking about the cost and marketing of drugs, C T Renganathan, vice president – pharmaceutical, said, “The price of Votrient will be around Rs.58,000 for a month for 800 mg tablet and that for Revolade is around Rs.27,000 per month for strength of 25 mg per day. These prices are 25-30 per cent lower in India if compared with prices in the US. Though GSK is relatively new in the oncology segment, these two products will able to push GSK's share by 2-3 per cent in coming years. The company's existing Tykerb treatment is costing around Rs.50,000 per month in India.”

Revolade is available in two strengths 25 mg and 50 mg and Votrient in strength of 800 mg. Votrient is authorized for use in 27 member states of the European Union and other countries and approved by US FDA.

Revolade (eltrombopag) is approved for the oral treatment of thrombocytoppenia (reduced platelet count) in adults with the blood disorder chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This once-a-day, oral medication is able to stimulate platelet production and reduce the risk of bleeding in this difficult-to-treat disease. It works by stimulating platelet production from megakaryocytes in a similar way to native thrombopoietin. Megakaryocytes are the bone marrow cells which give rise to blood platelets. A number of ongoing trials are investigating the use of Revolade for treating thrombocytopenia in other conditions where reduced levels of platelets may interfere with treatment, such as cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Announcing the launch of Revolade, Dr Hasit Joshipura, vice president South Asia & managing director, said, “Revolade is the first and only oral platelet generator. It is an innovative step forward in helping patients and their physicians meet the challenges of managing chronic ITP. Clinical trials have shown that eltrombopag is able to stimulate the production of platelets and reduce the risk of bleeding in this difficult to treat disease.”

Votrient (pazopanib hydrochloride tablets) is indicated for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer. Votrient is administered orally, at a dose of 800 mg per day and should be taken without food, at lest one hour before or two hours after a meal. Votrient is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and shows minimal inhibition of the Flt-3 tyrosine kinase, which is found on the surface of haematopoietic stem cells and is involved in their proliferation and differentiation.

“Votrient approval in India is based on the results from a pivotal phase III study of patients with advanced kidney cancer who had either received no prior drug treatment, or had failed a cytokine-based treatment. Votrient has been proven to significantly delay the progression of advanced renal cell carcinoma while maintaining patients' quality of life, when compared with placebo” Joshipura added.

When asked about any plans for acquisition, Joshipura said “We are cash reach company with reserves of over Rs.1,800 crore and open to mergers and acquisition with proper valuation. There is no problem with Indian regulatory authorities and process is very fast.”