Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., a prominent global pharmaceutical company, has announced the launch of Versavo® (bevacizumab) in the United Kingdom (UK), marking its debut in this highly regulated market. Versavo®, a biosimilar of Avastin®, is indicated for the treatment of various 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. Available in 100mg and 400mg single-use vials, Versavo® represents Dr. Reddy’s commitment to addressing the unmet needs of cancer patients globally.
Introduced initially in India in 2019, Versavo® has since been launched in several other markets such as Thailand, Ukraine, Nepal, and Jamaica under the same brand name. In Colombia, it was introduced as Persivia®. Dr. Jayanth Sridhar, Global Head of Biologics at Dr. Reddy’s, expressed pride in the launch, highlighting the company’s capability in global clinical development of high-quality biosimilar products and its focus on oncology.
Versavo® is a bevacizumab biosimilar, targeting human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to impede angiogenesis and tumor growth. Dr. Reddy’s biosimilars program, a key strategic initiative, has evolved over 25 years into a fully integrated organization with robust capabilities in biosimilar development, manufacture, and commercialization, particularly in oncology and immunology. The company boasts a portfolio of six commercial products marketed in India and over 25 other countries, with additional products in the pipeline for global launches across regulated and emerging markets. Furthermore, Dr. Reddy’s is expanding its manufacturing capacity to support its global expansion plans. In July 2023, the company’s rituximab biosimilar application was accepted for review by the USFDA, EMA, and MHRA, indicating further advancements in its biosimilars program. This strategic focus underscores Dr. Reddy’s commitment to delivering affordable and high-quality biological products to patients worldwide, particularly in the critical area of oncology.