On 19 March 2024, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories announced that it would be launching Versavo, a bevacizumab biosimilar, in the UK.
Versavo is a bevacizumab biosimilar of Roche’s originator, Avastin, granted marketing authorization from the UK in November 2023.
Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) by blocking the action of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Bevacizumab can therefore slow the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and is used to treat various cancers [1].
Versavo is indicated for the treatment of several types of cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, recurrent glioblastoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, advanced cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer.
Being the first biosimilar from Dr Reddy's to secure approval and be launched in the UK, Versavo is available in strengths of 100 mg and 400 mg single-use vials in the country. While Amgen's Mvasi became the first bevacizumab biosimilar to gain approval in the UK back in January 2018, Versavo, despite being available in the UK, has not been submitted for approval in the European Union.
The product was first approved and launched in India in 2019 [2], and subsequently introduced in other markets including Thailand, Ukraine, Nepal, and Jamaica under the same brand name. However, in Colombia, the product was launched under the brand name Persivia.
Global Head of Biologics at Dr Reddy’s Jayanth Sridhar said, ‘Launch of Versavo in a highly regulated market underscores our capability for global clinical development of high-quality biosimilar products’.
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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars of bevacizumab [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Mar 27]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/Biosimilars-of-bevacizumab
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Bevacizumab ‘similar biologic’ Versavo launched in India [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Mar 27]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/Bevacizumab-similar-biologic-Versavo-launched-in-India
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