Biocon Biologics gets USFDA nod for cancer drug Jobevne

Bengaluru: Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) has approved Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd), a biosimilar Bevacizumab for intravenous use.

JOBEVNE, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody used to treat several different types of cancer, is a biosimilar to the reference product Avastin (bevacizumab). JOBEVNE is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor that binds with VEGF and blocks the interaction with its receptors to prevent angiogenesis – combating cancer by restricting blood supply to the tumor.

The approval of JOBEVNE expands Biocon Biologics’ biosimilar oncology portfolio in the United States, which also includes OGIVRI (Trastuzumab-dkst) and FULPHILA (Pegfilgrastim-jmdb).

The Company also markets Bevacizumab in Europe (approved February 2021) and Canada (approved November 2021) under the name ABEVMY.

Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd., said, “The U.S. FDA approval of JOBEVNE (bevacizumab-nwgd) is a significant milestone—our seventh biosimilar approved in the U.S. and a strong addition to our robust oncology portfolio. It underscores the depth of our scientific expertise and commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable biologics. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring more treatment options to patients.”

In the U.S., sales of bevacizumab were approximately $2.0 billion in 2023.

Biocon Biologics is a global player in biosimilars and insulin production and has achieved many “firsts” in the industry including the first to receive approval of a trastuzumab in the United States, OGIVRI (Trastuzumab-dkst), as well as FULPHILA (Pegfilgrastim-jmdb) and the first U.S. approval of an interchangeable biosimilar for SEMGLEE (insulin glargine). Biocon Biologics has a comprehensive portfolio of in-market and in-development biosimilar products across multiple therapies, including seven approved biosimilars in the United States and six in Canada, with a development pipeline of 20 biosimilar assets, including insulins and monoclonal antibodies spanning multiple therapy areas.