Bangalore, India, and LOS ANGELES, California - Biocon Limited, India's pioneering biotechnology company, and Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABII), a fully integrated biotechnology company announced the launch of ABRAXANER (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in India for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination therapy for metastatic disease or relapse within six months of adjuvant chemotherapy. ABRAXANE is now available in India as a single-use 100 mg vial (as a lyophilized powder, to be reconstituted for intravenous administration).

"The launch of ABRAXANE in India represents a major strategic step in our plan to provide safer and more effective cancer treatments on a global scale," said Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abraxis BioScience. "In addition to India, our marketing agreement with Biocon covers more than ten countries, and we are working closely with national authorities throughout the region to receive regulatory approvals and commence marketing activities as soon as practicable."

"This launch provides breakthrough therapeutics to cancer patients in India," said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director of Biocon. "ABRAXANE is a significant advance in taxane therapy for the treatment of breast cancer. This unique product eliminates the need for chemical solvents and allows for higher doses of paclitaxel without compromising safety and tolerability. The launch of ABRAXANE reiterates our belief in strategic licensing partnerships to advance therapeutics in India, and we take great pride in providing oncologists in India with the latest treatment in breast cancer."

Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw noted that ABRAXANE is an important addition to Biocon's
Oncotherapeutics portfolio, which has already seen the successful launch of its proprietary antibody, BIOMAb EGFRT for the treatment of head and neck cancers.

Neil Desai, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Development at Abraxis BioScience, said, "ABRAXANE is the first nanotechnology based anti-cancer drug that is administered as albumin-bound particles of approximately 130 nanometers and takes advantage of albumin, a natural protein that acts as the body's key transporter of nutrients and other water-insoluble molecules and accumulates in tumor tissues. The drug has demonstrated superiority in progression free survival over both TaxolR Injection and TaxotereR Injection in recent randomized clinical trials. The initial clinical trials for ABRAXANE were conducted in India and we are very satisfied to be able to bring this drug to the Indian patients through our partner Biocon."

Rakesh Bamzai, President - Marketing, Biocon, said, "Presently, more than 100,000 new cases of breast cancer occur in Indian women every year. Breast cancer is the second largest cause of death among women diagnosed with cancer in India. With the launch of ABRAXANE through Biocon's innovation led Oncotherapeutics division and the growing need for this drug in the country, we look forward to attaining market leadership in this segment."

ABRAXANE is approved for marketing in 35 countries. Abraxis has several pending patent applications in India relating to ABRAXANE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT :

Mr. PRASHANTH CHANDRAN
M/s. Brodeur India PR
Bangalore, India
E-Mail : pchandran@brodeurindia.com