Cadila to launch rabies drug, Twinrab; Stock jumps

Zydus Cadila received marketing authorization for Twinrab (RabiMabs) from the Drug Controller General of India. Post this development, the stock of the company jumped by nearly 2 per cent on BSE.

The novel biologic, which is being marketed under the brand name Twinrab, is indicated in combination with rabies vaccine for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. USFDA has granted an orphan drug status to this. Twinrab meets the requirement by World Health Organization (WHO) for a product containing two or more antibodies which bind two different sites on the rabies virus as part of research priorities. Currently, Cadilla is manufacturing and marketing a rabies vaccine VaxiRab NTM, which is a pre-qualified vaccine by WHO.

Zydus had previously entered into an agreement with WHO for exploring opportunities in developing monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of rabies. This is a better substitute for current blood derived rabies immunoglobulins (RIG’s).

Mr. Pankaj R. Patel, the chairman of Zydus Group, mentioned in the press release that Twinrab can be considered as the company’s transformational entry into next-gen therapy for rabies treatment.

Cadila Heathcare Limited is a pharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing a varied range of healthcare therapies which also includes small molecule drugs, biologic therapeutics and vaccines.

On Tuesday, the stock of the company closed at Rs. 229.05, up by 1.73 per cent or Rs. 3.9 per share on BSE. Its 52-week high is Rs. 432.40 and 52-week low is Rs. 206.45.