Erythropoietin
(EPO) belongs to the class of Erythropoiesis
Stimulating Agents, i.e it work as a growth
hormone and stimulates production of red
blood cells from the hematopoietic stem
cells in the bone marrow. It is solely
produced by the kidney cells, and thus,
any functional damage to the kidneys can
result in EPO deficiency and reduction
in production of RBC pool that eventually
leads to anemia.
ReliPoietin™ is erythropoietin alpha,
conventionally used to reverse anemic
condition that is arising because of body's
inability to produce required amount of
erythropoietin, and thus, reduced pool
of red blood cells. It is used as a support
therapy in the treatment of Acute, chronic
and end-stage renal failure; in cancer-induced
and chemotherapy-related anemia; in patients
undergoing major surgeries; and in AIDS
patients on zidovudine treatment. The
aim of therapy is to reduce the number
of dialysis required by the renal failure
patients, better tolerance of chemotherapy
and reduced number of blood transfusions
in case of cancer patients; and overall
improved quality of life in these patients.
ReliPoietin™,
is a glycoprotein containing 165 amino
acids. The molecular weight is 30 kD,
with 40% glycosylation. The upstream processing
including the cell lines (Chinese Hamster
Ovary) used and the downstream processing
yields erythropoietin that is exactly
similar to the innovator's product. Even
the isoform distribution, which is one
of the determinants of efficacy, is same
as that of the innovator's product and
the biological reference protein.
ReliPoietin™ is available as pre-filled
syringes in the strengths of 2000, 3000,
4000, 6000, 10,000 and 40,000 IU