Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is preparing to launch Zanubrutinib, a cancer medicine, in India under the brand name ‘Brukinsa’after receiving the approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The drug is set to provide a major boost in the treatment of certain blood cancers.
The exact launch date for BRUKINSA in India is expected to be announced in the coming months.
Glenmark cancer drug treats these 5 B-cell malignancies
BRUKINSA, developed by Switzerland-based BeOne Medicines (formerly BeiGene), is the first and only Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor approved in India for the treatment of five different B-cell malignancies.
These include chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), and follicular lymphoma (FL).
It is an oral, small-molecule drug that blocks BTK protein activity, which supports the growth of cancerous B cells. BRUKINSA is designed to provide consistent BTK inhibition with good bioavailability and fewer side effects. It is the only BTK inhibitor that offers the flexibility of once- or twice-daily dosing.
How effective is Brukinsa
To date, over 100,000 patients worldwide have been treated with BRUKINSA. The drug has been tested in approximately 6,000 patients across 35 clinical trials in 30 countries and regions.
BRUKINSA is expected to offer a new line of treatment with better results and fewer side effects, especially in terms of heart-related complications.
In the ALPINE study involving patients with relapsed or difficult-to-treat CLL, BRUKINSA showed fewer serious cardiac issues (1.9 per cent) compared to another drug, ibrutinib (7.7 per cent). It also led to fewer treatment discontinuations due to heart problems.
Drug developed by BeiGene, marketed by Glenmark
The drug is developed by BeiGene, a global oncology company that is now rebranding as BeOne Medicines. BRUKINSA is already approved in more than 70 countries, backed by strong clinical data from major trials like ALPINE, ASPEN, and SEQUOIA.
Glenmark Shows Strong Performance Over the Month
Glenmark expressed confidence in the product and its potential in the Indian market. “We look forward to bringing BRUKINSA to India in the coming months as part of our ongoing partnership with BeiGene (now BeOne Medicines),” said Alok Malik, President and Business Head – India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
Previously, Glenmark Pharma had also expanded its cardiometabolic portfolio in India with the launch of empagliflozin and its fixed-dose combinations.
Glenmark Q4 FY2025 performance
In its fourth-quarter earnings for FY2025, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals reported improved financial performance, posting a net profit of Rs 4.65 crore compared to a net loss in the previous year. Consolidated revenue rose 6.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,256 crore, up from Rs 3,063 crore in the same quarter last year. EBITDA increased by 11.2 per cent to Rs 561 crore, with the EBITDA margin improving to 17.2 per cent.
Glenmark share performance
Glenmark Pharma’s share price was up 0.68 per cent on Monday, June 9, following the announcement, reaching an intraday high of Rs 1,610.90. The stock has rallied 11 per cent over the past month.