Dr. Reddy's Unveils Toripalimab in India for Rare Head & Neck Cancer Treatment

Hyderabad, Nov 28 (NationPress) Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has officially introduced Toripalimab in India, aimed at treating adults afflicted by Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) — a rare and aggressive form of head and neck cancer that begins in the nasopharynx, the upper segment of the throat.
Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD-1 interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, enhancing receptor internalisation (endocytosis function). By blocking PD-1 interactions, the immune system gains the capability to target and eliminate tumour cells.
The combination of Toripalimab with standard chemotherapy has demonstrated a 48% reduction in the risk of disease progression or mortality.
“The introduction of Toripalimab marks a significant advancement for individuals diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in India. NPC is a rare type of head and neck cancer, and the prognosis for patients in advanced stages is often bleak. India ranks among the top five countries globally in terms of disease burden,” stated M.V. Ramana, the Chief Executive Officer of Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets) at Dr. Reddy’s.
“As the next generation PD-1 inhibitor, Toripalimab has shown better outcomes for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC) compared to standard treatments, thus addressing a significant unmet need for NPC patients in India,” he added.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved Dr. Reddy's lab in April to import and market Toripalimab. The medication will be marketed in India under the brand name Zytorvi.
Previously, the standard treatment for RM-NPC in India consisted of chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin). Toripalimab is now indicated as the first-line treatment for adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced NPC in conjunction with gemcitabine and cisplatin.
NPC is a malignant tumour arising from the epithelium of the nasopharynx. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, over 120,000 new NPC diagnoses were recorded worldwide in 2022. In India, there were 6,519 newly diagnosed NPC cases in 2022, with Kohima in Nagaland reporting an incidence rate of 19.4/100,000 population.
Toripalimab is the only immuno-oncology drug sanctioned by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and other regulatory bodies for the treatment of adults with RM-NPC.