Cadila to market anti-cancer drug by 2006

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Monday said it would market anti-cancer drugs GCS (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating) Factor and GMCS (Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stumating) Factor by 2006 end.

"The animal trials are being conducted presently and the complete standardisation process would be completed by next year end when we plan to enter the market," Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd president (biocare SBU) P K Ghosh told PTI on the sidelines of a biotechnology seminar in Mumbai.

The two other anti cancer drugs Interferon Gama and Interleukin 2 on the other hand will be marketed only by 2007, he said.

"Interferon Gama and Interleukin 2 have already been cloned and the process of standardisation has just started and is expected to end by 2007 when the drugs would be ready for marketing," Ghosh said.

Erythropetin, a drug to increase red blood cells counts, which is being produced in collaboration with Italy-based Internatoional Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology would also be ready for introduction in the market by 2006, he said.

Asked about joint ventures in pipeline, he said Cadila would join hands with a Japanese institute for developing an anti-HIV vaccine.

Ghosh, however, refused to divulge further details on the vaccine project.