Delhi High Court Allows Zydus Lifesciences to Make Biosimilar Nivolumab

The Delhi High Court allows Indian pharma company Zydus Lifesciences to manufacture and sell a biosimilar version of the global drug Nivolumab. The news is relevant due to the court permission and the associated medical and drug-related facts about Nivolumab and monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy.

Nivolumab (Monoclonal Antibody Immunotherapy Drug): 

Dimension	Key Details
Drug type	Monoclonal antibody drug.
Core action	Enhancing the immune response to fight cancerous cells.
Mechanism of action	Nivolumab blocks the PD-1 receptor, restoring the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibodies: definition and use	Monoclonal antibodies are lab-produced antibody molecules that can restore, enhance, modify or mimic immune systems, used for targeted cellular action.
Comparison within immunotherapy	Similar to another immunotherapy monoclonal drug called Pembrolizumab.
Immunotherapy vs chemotherapy	Unlike chemotherapy, immunotherapy targets the cancer cells alone without affecting the healthy cells.
Prescription scenarios	It may be prescribed after primary treatments like surgery, when cancer has spread to other organs, or before surgery alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy to shrink tumors.
Dosage schedules	Adult schedules advise 240 mg every two weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.
Applications	Against lung, renal, head and neck, melanoma, urothelial, oesophageal and gastric cancers.
Brand names	Nivolumab is sold under the brand name Opdivo outside India and Opdyta in India.