Pakistan Approves Chinese Biosimilar Cancer Drug to Expand Access to Affordable Bevacizumab Treatment

Key Insights

• Pakistan's drug regulator has approved a biosimilar version of bevacizumab, a costly cancer drug, manufactured by Chinese firm TOT Biopharm and marketed by Kexing Biopharm.
• The approval addresses critical healthcare needs in Pakistan, where over 118,000 cancer deaths occur annually, with lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancers among major contributors.
• The biosimilar offers a more affordable alternative to Roche's Avastin, which costs several hundred dollars per dose and remains unaffordable for most patients in the country of 240 million people.

Pakistan's drug regulatory authority has approved a biosimilar version of bevacizumab, a costly cancer treatment, marking a significant step toward expanding access to affordable oncology therapies in the country. Chinese pharmaceutical company Kexing Biopharm announced the approval in a recent LinkedIn statement, highlighting the potential to improve cancer care for Pakistan's population of more than 240 million people.

Biosimilar Approval Details

The approval allows Kexing Biopharm to market the bevacizumab biosimilar manufactured by China-based TOT Biopharm. This biosimilar serves as a near-identical alternative to the widely used therapy for several advanced cancers, including colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancers.

The original drug, marketed by Roche as Avastin, can cost several hundred dollars per dose, placing it beyond the reach of most patients in Pakistan. A biosimilar is a biological product that is demonstrated to be as safe and effective as a licensed reference drug whose patent has expired.

Addressing Critical Healthcare Needs

The need for more affordable cancer treatment options is critical in Pakistan. According to data from the World Health Organisation's Global Cancer Observatory, Pakistan records more than 118,000 cancer deaths annually. Lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancers—all potential targets for bevacizumab therapy—are among the major contributors to this mortality burden.

The approval aligns with Pakistan's 2018 drug pricing policy established by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, which seeks to curb medical expenditures by promoting the use of more affordable generic and biosimilar medicines.

Strengthening International Health Partnerships

This development is expected to deepen health-sector partnerships between Pakistan and China. Kexing Biopharm, which maintains a market presence in over 70 countries, has been instrumental in introducing biosimilars, formulations, and innovative drugs to emerging economies, especially countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The company's efforts contribute to building more resilient health systems in these nations by making essential medications more accessible to patients who previously could not afford branded treatments. The approval represents a concrete example of how international pharmaceutical partnerships can address healthcare accessibility challenges in developing markets.