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New Delhi, May 15 (APAC Media): Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has introduced a new subcutaneous (SC) version of its cancer immunotherapy drug Tecentriq in India, offering lung cancer patients a much faster treatment option. 

Unlike the earlier intravenous (IV) version, which can take several hours to administer in hospitals, the new injection-based formulation can be given under the skin in around seven minutes. 

The therapy has received approval from India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), for the treatment of certain lung cancers.

Faster Treatment Expected to Improve Patient Experience

Tecentriq, whose active ingredient is atezolizumab, was first launched in India in 2018 for cancers of the lung and urinary tract. 

According to Roche, the new SC formulation can significantly reduce treatment time and make cancer care more convenient for patients and caregivers.

The company said the new version may help to reduce treatment time by 80 percent and lower the indirect treatment costs. 

Alarming Rise of Lung Cancer Cases in India

Doctors say lung cancer is no longer limited to smokers and is increasingly being diagnosed among non-smokers as well, with rising air pollution levels considered one of the major factors.

“India’s growing cancer burden requires healthcare systems to improve treatment accessibility and convenience. Shorter administration formats can help make cancer care more practical for both patients and healthcare providers,” said Amit Rauthan, Chief Medical Oncologist at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru.

Therapy Effective for Specific Biomarker Patients

Oncologists said Tecentriq can be used as a first-line therapy for patients with high PD-L1 expression, a biomarker that helps determine how effective immunotherapy may be in a patient. The subcutaneous version of Tecentriq has already been approved in 85 countries. 

Sajjan Rajpurohit, medical oncologist, said around 50–60% of lung cancer patients in India test positive for this biomarker and may be eligible for the treatment.

The maximum retail price of the subcutaneous Tecentriq injection is expected to be around ₹4 lakh per vial. Doctors said many patients may require around six treatment cycles, although the number can vary depending on the response to therapy.

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