Dr. Reddy's first to launch generic anaemia drug, Cresp

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has announced that the company has launched a generic anaemia drug Cresp, which is the first of its kind biosimilar Darbepoetin alfa in the world.

New drug, Cresp is indicated in treating anaemia which is associated with chemotherapy and chronic kidney disease.

Vice-chairman & chief executive at Dr. Reddy's, GV Prasad said, "Cresp will offer patients an improved treatment regimen at affordable pricing."

The drug will be available in both vials and prefilled syringes and is priced at Rs. 4,500 for four doses on a monthly basis.

Ritha Chandrachud, India head at Dr Reddy’s said, "Every time we have introduced biosimilars such as reditux (a lymphoma drug) in India in the past, we have been able to expand the market with our pricing.”

Company estimates say that the market size for darbepoetin alfa is Rs. 150 crore in India.

G.V. Prasad, further added, 'We plan to spend Rs30-40 crore on biologics R&D and Rs150 crore on capex over the next 1.5 years. Once all these products are launched at the rate of about one a year, we should be the biggest biologics player in the world.”