Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of India's largest privately held pharmaceuticals company, has launched for the first time in the world, Mycidac-C, an affordable, unique and innovative drug for the treatment of Lung Cancer.

Mycidac-C is an innovative research product for the patients suffering from Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The drug has been approved for launch in India by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It targets Desmocollin-3, a novel target.

This is a first in the class active immunotherapy as well as drug targeting Desmocollin-3. It is a breakthrough in the management of squamous cell NSCLC. There has been no significant innovation in management of squamous NSCLC since the introduction of platinum containing doublet in 1983. Besides affordability and other advantages, Mycidac-C has no systemic side effects during the treatment. Mycidac-C is to be used with platinum containing doublet therapy.

As per the WHO report, approximately 1.25 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year worldwide. Around 30% of them suffer from squamous NSCLC. Lung Cancer kills more people than the three next commonest cancers combined.

This is in line with the vision of Shri I A Modi, Founder Chairman, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., to make affordable healthcare accessible to the masses for alleviating human suffering. Mycidac-C can be administered easily by trained paramedics, thus further reducing the cost of hospitalisation associated with other cancer therapy.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Rajiv I Modi, Chairman and Managing Director of Cadila Pharmaceuticals said, "It has taken us over a decade, a huge investment and a dedicated research and development team to develop this unique drug. We expect it to be available in the Indian market by December 2013. Therafter, we will introduce it in other regions like SAARC countries and European markets over the next five years."

Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and technology also commented "Lung cancer is a major killer among all cancers. In this scenario Mycidac-C is a new hope for the patients suffering from lung cancer, particularly for Indian patients."