AstraZeneca Pharma opens door for severe & rare asthma treatment; stock slumps 3 per cent

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited informed on Monday that it has been granted permission by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for importing & marketing of Benralizumab 30mg/ml solution for injection (Fasenra™). The medicine helps in treating a severe & rare type of asthma caused mainly in adults. 

This can be marked as entry and launch of Benralizumab (Fasenra™) in India but subject to the receipt of related statutory approvals and licences. AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd received this permission through form CT-20 (marketing authorisation). Benralizumab injection is used with other medications to prevent wheezing, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, and coughing caused in adults & children of more than 12 years old, whose asthma is severe and its cure is not fulfilled by their current medication. 

AstraZeneca Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company on a global level, which is mainly engaged in the discovery, development & commercialisation of medicines for core areas of healthcare including cardiovascular/metabolic disease, cancer and respiratory, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease. There are basically two segments operating in the company namely, healthcare and clinical trial. It has a presence in over seven areas of healthcare, including diabetes, oncology, infection, local anesthesia and maternal healthcare. 

Despite this news, the stock of AstraZeneca Pharma was trading at Rs 4,134.25, down by 3.05 per cent at 10.19 am on Tuesday.