Biocon, Mylan launch diabetes drug in Australia

New Delhi: Bio-technology major Biocon and pharmaceutical firm Mylan N V on Thursday announced the launch of insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee, indicated for the treatment of diabetes, in Australia.

Semglee is the first insulin glargine biosimilar available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia, the companies said in a joint statement.

"We are extremely excited to enable affordable access to Semglee, a high-quality biosimilar Insulin Glargine, co-developed and manufactured by Biocon Biologics, to people with diabetes in Australia.

We are committed to use our science, scale and expertise to shift the access paradigm for patients in need of insulins across the globe," Biocon Biologics CEO Christiane Hamacher said.

Insulin glargine is indicated for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged six years and above and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, the statement said.

"... availability of Semglee through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will expand patient access to this therapy in Australia and will reduce the cost burden for PBS," she added.