Glenmark partners with BeiGene to introduce advanced cancer therapies in India

Glenmark Specialty S.A. (Glenmark), a subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a research-led, global pharmaceutical company, recently announced that it has signed an exclusive marketing and distribution agreement with BeiGene, a global oncology company.

Under this agreement, Glenmark will register and commercialize BeiGene's oncology medicines, Tislelizumab and Zanubrutinib in India. 

Leadership comments 

Speaking on this partnership, Alok Malik, President and Business Head - India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, "We are excited about our partnership with BeiGene, signifying our commitment to advancing healthcare in India. The addition of Tislelizumab and Zanubrutinib to our oncology portfolio underscores our dedication to the cancer patients' community and our commitment to provide access to novel therapies across India" 

"This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of enhancing healthcare access across Asia," said Adam Roach, Vice President, and Head of Asia-Pacific at BeiGene.  "We take great pride in advancing mission-driven access, especially given the significant disease burden in India, where rising cancer rates require comprehensive healthcare solutions - a commitment we share with our partners at Glenmark," Roach said. 

Why India?

The partnership is timely, as many low-and middle-income countries, including India, are experiencing an increasing cancer burden.

Recent statistics indicate that India has the third highest number of cancer cases worldwide, with predictions suggesting this could reach 2.08 million cases by 2040 – a 57.5% increase from 2020. Currently, cancer claims approximately 900,000 lives annually in India.

While solid tumours remain the majority of cancers diagnosed, of particular concern is the burgeoning prevalence of blood cancer, ranking third highest globally, following only the US and China.

In India, a blood cancer diagnosis strikes every five minutes, claiming an estimated 70,000 lives each year. Amidst this grim reality, Glenmark envisions a future where affordable and effective therapies serve as a beacon of hope for those in need.

What is Tislelizumab?

Tislelizumab is a uniquely designed humanized immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody with high affinity and binding specificity against PD-1.

It is designed to minimize binding to Fc-gamma (Fcγ) receptors on macrophages, helping to aid the body's immune cells to detect and fight tumors. 
About Zanubrutinib:

What is Zanubrutinib?

Zanubrutinib is a small molecule inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) designed to deliver complete and sustained inhibition of the BTK protein by optimizing bioavailability, half-life, and selectivity.

With differentiated pharmacokinetics compared with other approved BTK inhibitors, zanubrutinib has been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of malignant B cells within a number of disease-relevant tissues. 

BeiGene is a global oncology company that is discovering and developing innovative treatments that are more affordable and accessible to cancer patients worldwide.