Etana And Celltrion Sign Strategic Agreements For Herzuma And Truxima

JAKARTA - PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana), a local Indonesian biofarmasi company, together with Celltrion, a leading global biopharmaceutical company specializing in research, development, and manufacturing innovative therapeutic drugs, announced that it had signed a strategic distribution and marketing agreement for Herzuma Total (trastuzumab) and Truxima Total (rituximab).

The two drugs are the first line of target therapy for breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as registered in National Formulaium (Fornas) and e-catalog.

President Director of Etana Nathan Tirtana said that this collaboration is expected to provide easier access for cancer patients in need.

"We are very grateful to be collaborating with Celltrion, one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in South Korea, in the development of this innovative cancer therapy product," Nathan said in a written statement on Friday, November 15.

Nathan continued, as a biofarmasi company in Indonesia, Etana is committed to serving patients by providing high-quality, affordable, and innovative products to support the government in improving health in Indonesia.

In addition, General Manager of Southeast Asia Celltrion Regional Ji Tae Kim said that his party hopes that this collaboration can have a positive impact on the lives of patients in need.

"As a leading global biofarmation company, we are very pleased to partner with Etana to present biossimilar trastuzumab and Rituximab to the Indonesian market. This strategic partnership takes advantage of our common strength and expertise, and we hope to have a positive impact on the lives of patients in need," said Ji Tae Kim.

For information, Herzuma Total (trastuzumab) is a target therapy for breast cancer and stomach cancer, which is effective in cancer that overexpresses certain proteins known as human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER-2).

Meanwhile, Truxima total (rituximab) is an anti-CD20 target therapy used for the treatment of chronic lympho-symphotic drugs, follicular lymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. In addition, this drug can also be used for joint inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis) treatment when other therapies are ineffective.

Herzuma and Truxima have received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 and 2018, as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These two drugs have been marketed in more than 110 countries around the world.