Newsletter
AstraZeneca gained more than 2% after it received approval from India’s drug regulator to bring a new cancer medicine called Imfinzi. The medicine is to treat endometrial cancer, a cancer that affects the lining of the uterus in women.
Why it matters: Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, especially after menopause. It can come back even after treatment and is harder to treat once it spreads.
The medicine, Imfinzi (durvalumab), helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer cells. It is given along with chemotherapy first, and then continued on its own to keep the cancer from returning or growing.
In simple terms, it doesn’t just attack cancer directly, it trains the body to fight it better.
Zoom out: India reports over 14 lakh new cancer cases every year, with the number expected to rise steadily due to ageing, lifestyle changes, and late diagnosis.
To ease this burden, the Union Budget 2026–27 removed basic customs duty on 17 cancer medicines, aiming to lower treatment costs and improve access to life-saving drugs across India.
