Roche Pharma India has launched Tecentriq® SC (atezolizumab) in India, marking the country’s first subcutaneous immunotherapy for lung cancer. The treatment can be administered in approximately seven minutes, significantly reducing treatment time compared to conventional intravenous (IV) infusions that often take several hours.

The company said the innovation has the potential to reduce treatment administration time by nearly 80%, helping patients spend less time in hospitals while improving convenience and reducing indirect treatment costs. Tecentriq SC has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for eligible adults with adjuvant and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Globally, the therapy is already approved in more than 85 countries, with over 10,000 patients having benefitted from its use. Clinical studies have demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to IV Tecentriq while offering a significantly faster and more convenient treatment experience.

According to Roche, patient preference studies presented at major oncology conferences showed that four out of five patients preferred the subcutaneous version over IV administration, citing shorter clinic time, greater comfort, and lower emotional distress. Healthcare professionals also indicated that the formulation could improve operational efficiency and save time for oncology teams.

Rajwinder (Rajji) Mehdwan, Managing Director and CEO of Roche Pharma India, said the launch reflects the company’s commitment to improving access to advanced cancer care while enabling more efficient healthcare delivery systems. Medical experts noted that shorter administration formats could also support decentralised cancer care models and help reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals.

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Roche added that the subcutaneous formulation combines Tecentriq with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze® drug delivery technology, enabling rapid absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream. The launch further strengthens India’s access to next-generation oncology therapies focused not only on survival outcomes but also on patient experience and quality of life.

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