German Remedies launches new cancer drug

GERMAN Remedies, part of the Zydus Group, has announced the launch of Fludarabine, a drug used for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (blood cancer).
The orally-administered drug, being marketed as Fludara Oral, has been introduced for the first time in the country and is a product of Berlex Inc, a US affiliate of Schering AG Germany, a Zydus Cadila executive told Business Line here.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a cancer of the lymphocytes. It is a serious, progressive disease, which has no cure and occurs mostly in people over 50 years of age.
"Fludarabine has emerged as one of the leading drugs for treatment - whether as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other drugs. It helps control the disease by shortening the life span of existing leukaemia cells and interferes with the making of new DNA, thus preventing cancerous cells from growing. With this treatment, the remission can last for several years, thereby increasing the span of survival