Biocon and Mylan announce successful trials for biosimilar trastuzumab: Biocon and Mylan announced the successful conclusions of a Heritage study for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer with biosimilar trastuzumab, which showed results similar to the branded trastruzumab Herceptin product sold by Roche.

Biocon is an early filer for trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar in the EU and US markets. Four other players (excluding Biocon) are also  in advanced stages of development of trastuzumab biosimilar, raising the possibility of competition for the market. Nevertheless,  Herceptin is an US$7bn drug globally and Biocon is an early filer, giving it the possibility of quick payoff in this market. 

However, Roche is currently conducting trials for a combination drug of Perjeta (pertuzumab) and Herceptin (trastruzumab). If the trial is successful, this will set a new bar for cancer treatment compared to treating with trastruzumab alone, and limit Biocon's market.