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Cancer treatment

GlaxoSmithKline Re-Enters India's Oncology Market with Precision Therapies for Gynaecological Cancers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals is re-entering the Indian oncology market with the launch of Jemperli (dostarlimab) and Zejula (niraparib), precision therapies for the treatment of certain gynaecological cancers. This marks a significant pivot for the multinational company, which had exited the oncology segment globally about a decade ago. The launch of these drugs in India is a key step in GSK's strategy to rebuild its portfolio in oncology, a rapidly expanding segment of the Indian pharmaceutical market. GSK aims to become a focused biopharma player and has identified oncology as a core growth driver.

Key Takeaways:

  • GSK is re-entering the Indian oncology market with Jemperli (dostarlimab) and Zejula (niraparib), precision therapies for gynaecological cancers.
  • The company had exited the oncology segment globally about a decade ago, but is now rebuilding its portfolio in oncology as part of its global strategy to become a focused biopharma player.
  • GSK aims to build a significant oncology presence in India, with a focus on making precision medicines more accessible to patients.
  • The two therapies will be imported and offered at tiered and competitive pricing, with a patient assistance program to include financial assistance, counselling, diagnostic coupons for biomarker testing, and possible EMI-based payment plans.
  • GSK is working closely in antibody drug conjugates, which it describes as the "next holy grail within precision medicine".
  • The company has already launched innovative assets in India, including the first adult vaccine for shingles prevention, and aims to accelerate the launch of its oncology assets.

Statistics:

  • Gynaecological cancers account for 13% of all cancers in women in India (Source: ET).
  • Jemperli (dostarlimab) is the first immunotherapy approved globally for endometrial cancer (Source: ET).
  • Zejula (niraparib) is a PARP inhibitor for ovarian cancer, offering a once-daily oral dose (Source: ET).
  • GSK has already taken steps to accelerate the launch of its oncology assets, including the launch of the first adult vaccine in the area of shingles prevention (Source: ET).

Sources:

  • "We are very proud of what we do in paediatric vaccines or general medicine, but we want to build on the new growth platform to grow and pivot on the evolving healthcare needs, which is where oncology fits in." - Bhushan Akshikar, managing director of GSK India (Source: ET).
  • "The idea is to build a significant oncology presence in India, not just commercially, but the impact we can have across cancer types, so that's the stated intent." - Bhushan Akshikar, managing director of GSK India (Source: ET).
  • "Two and half years ago we launched the first adult vaccine in the area of shingles prevention. That was the first proof point of our commitment to bringing innovative assets into this country." - Bhushan Akshikar, managing director of GSK India (Source: ET).

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