Kalbe Farma (KLBF) Launches Serplulimab Product for Lung Cancer Patients

PHARMACY - JAKARTA. PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (KLBF) through its subsidiary, PT Kalbe Genexine Biologics (KGbio), and PT Global Onkolab Farma (GOF) have launched the drug Serplulimab for lung cancer patients.

Serplulimab is an innovative immunotherapy product and is combined with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). With the release of Serplulimab, Kalbe is recorded as the first and only domestic pharmaceutical company to market this type of innovative immunotherapy product.

Serplulimab, which is a collaboration with Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. The launch, which took place on Saturday (9/3), is a further step for Kalbe after obtaining a distribution permit in Indonesia from BPOM RI in December 2023.

"The availability of Serplulimab is proof of Kalbe's commitment to expanding health service access for lung cancer patients. This step is also our sustainability initiative in supporting the creation of an integrated health ecosystem together with hospitals, professional health workers, health professional associations, patients, and related authorities," said Sie Djohan, President Director of KGbio and Director of Kalbe in a press release, Saturday (9/3).

He added, cancer is one of the biggest health problems in Indonesia and is the second highest cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Every year, according to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, there are about 408 thousand new cancer cases with a mortality rate of 243 thousand.

Dr. Tubagus Djumhana Atmakusuma, SpPD-KHOM, Chairman of the Indonesian Internal Medicine Hematology Oncology Medical Doctor Association (PERHOMPEDIN) on the same occasion added more specifically, lung cancer is the third most common patient, where more than 50% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer have a mortality rate within one year after diagnosis and the life expectancy is only 17.8%.

"Therefore, the management of lung cancer cases requires a comprehensive approach. Starting from promotional and preventive actions such as lung cancer education and awareness programs, programs to avoid cigarette smoke, screening, and early detection of lung cancer, to curative actions through precision medicine methods or in this case immunotherapy treatment," explained Dr. Tubagus Djumhana Atmakusuma.

Lung cancer is often diagnosed in hospitals at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited. The same goes for small-cell lung cancer. Specifically for SCLC or small cell lung cancer, the cases occur in as much as 14% of all lung cancer cases. As many as 250 thousand patients are diagnosed with this disease and up to 80% fail to be saved.

"Treatment efforts are often delayed so the recovery rate is also relatively low because of the aggressive and difficult to detect early type of malignancy," he added.

Dr. Andhika Rachman, SpPD-KHOM., as a Consultant Doctor of Hematology Oncology at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital also added that there are many types of cancer therapy, for example, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, the latest such as immunotherapy.

"Immunotherapy treatment can work by stimulating the human immune system to attack cancer cells or give the body of cancer patients the necessary immune system components to help kill cancer cells. Based on experience and published clinical data, the use of immunotherapy drugs like Serplulimab can be an option in the management of extensive stage small cell lung cancer cases," explained Dr. Andhika Rachman.

Kalbe's ongoing initiative to support cancer management is strengthened by the presence of ONE Onco as an integrated health ecosystem. Liliana Susilowati President Director of GOF explained, that through ONE Onco patients can receive more comprehensive health solutions.

"Starting from therapy treatment, early detection, service directory, online consultation, healthy shopping as well as supportive therapy such as nutrition. Therefore, we welcome the availability of Serplulimab immunotherapy innovation to open wider treatment access for lung cancer patients in Indonesia," said Liliana.

In the future, Kalbe, KGbio, and Henlius will expand the exclusive license for the development and commercialization of this product in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

"Through this strategic partnership, we will strive to utilize each other's resources and advantages to promote and commercialize Serplulimab to open access to this innovative drug for patients in these countries," concluded Sie Djohan.