According to WHO, approximately 1.25 million people are diagnosed with Lung Cancer every year globally, and around 30% of them suffer from squamous NSCLC.

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

This new drug is a first-in-class active immunotherapy, as well as a drug targeting Desmocollin-3. According to Cadila, there has been no significant innovation in the management of squamous NSCLC ever since the introduction of platinum containing doublet in 1983. However, Mycidac-C has to be used with platinum containing doublet therapy.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Rajiv I Modi, Chairman and Managing Director, 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."

Mr Modi further added, "We expect it to be available in the Indian market by December 2013. Thereafter, we will introduce it in other regions like SAARC countries and European markets over the next five years."

Besides affordability, Mycidac-C has no systemic side effects during the treatment said the press release on Thursday.