Mankind Pharma Limited (BSE: 543904 | NSE: MANKIND) and Innovent Biologics have announced a ground-breaking cooperation to exclusively license and distribute Sintilimab, an innovative PD-1 immunotherapy, in India. This strategic alliance intends to solve significant obstacles in cancer therapy while also improving patient access to innovative therapeutic choices throughout the region.

Cancer has emerged as a serious health concern in India, with the burden expected to reach 29.8 million DALYs by 2025, according to The National Cancer Registry Programme1. In response to this serious situation, the collaboration between Mankind Pharma and Innovent Biologics provides a critical answer, seeking to combat the rising cancer incidence and improve patient outcomes throughout the country.

Sintilimab, known as TYVYT® (sintilimab injection) in China, is a high-quality PD-1 immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody co-developed by Innovent and Eli Lilly. Its strategy of blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway reactivates T-cells, hence increasing the body’s natural ability to target and kill cancer cells. The medicine has shown outstanding efficacy and safety across numerous major cancer types, with eight approved indications in China, including non-small cell lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, endometrial cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.TYVYT® (sintilimab injection), one of the most popular immunotherapy treatments, has already helped millions of cancer patients since its debut in 2018. This flexible immunotherapy has the potential to significantly benefit oncology patients in India.

According to the deal, Mankind Pharma will have exclusive rights to register, import, market, sell, and distribute sintilimab in India. Innovent will monitor the product’s manufacturing and supply, assuring continuous availability and high-quality standards. Innovent will be able to receive upfront, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments.

This ecosystem will be critical in providing widespread access to sintilimab in both urban and rural markets. The cooperation is more than just a commercial deal; it is a commitment to changing oncological care in India by making novel treatments available to a larger patient population.

Priyanka Dutta