Indian pharmaceutical giant Mankind Pharma has signed a licensing agreement with Chinese firm Innovent Biologics to introduce the advanced anti-cancer drug Sintilimab to India. The immunotherapy is expected to be launched within three years, subject to regulatory approvals.
Sintilimab, a PD-1 immunotherapy, works by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, reactivating T-cells to boost the immune system’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells. Already marketed in China as TYVYT, it has been co-developed by Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly.
Key terms of the partnership
Under the agreement:
- Mankind Pharma will hold exclusive rights to register, import, market, sell, and distribute Sintilimab in India.
- Innovent Biologics will manage the manufacturing and supply, ensuring consistent quality and availability.
Mankind Pharma intends to price Sintilimab competitively to make it accessible to Indian patients.
Oncology market and drug potential
Sintilimab has been approved in China for eight cancer types, including:
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Oesophageal cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
In India, the oncology market is valued at approximately ₹8,000 crore, presenting significant growth opportunities. Mankind Pharma entered the oncology segment in 2023 with its ₹1,872 crore acquisition of Panacea Biotec.
Launch timeline
Sintilimab will undergo Phase III clinical trials in India, with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approval anticipated in around three years. Once approved, it will become a cornerstone of Mankind Pharma’s oncology portfolio, complementing its existing expertise in biologics, biosimilars, and immunotherapies.
Strategic impact
“At Mankind Pharma, our goal is to improve patient outcomes through innovative treatments,” said Atish Majumdar, Senior President of Sales and Marketing. “This partnership strengthens our leadership in oncology, supported by our extensive distribution network of over 13,000 stockists and a field force of 16,000 personnel.”
This marks Mankind’s first collaboration with a Chinese firm for novel biologics, signifying a major step forward in delivering advanced cancer therapies to Indian patients.
