[THE INVESTOR] Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion said on Aug. 2 that its breast cancer biosimilar has been approved by Australia’s regulatory body.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the sale of Herzuma, a drug based on Herceptin -- which was originally developed by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Holding, the company said.

Herzuma will soon be distributed in Australia for the treatment of people who have been diagnosed with early stages of metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer in adults, Celltrion said.

Annual global sales of the mega-hit Herceptin stand at 8.1 trillion won (US$7.10 billion), with the annual sales in the Australian market hitting 134.1 billion won.

The company said it will discuss with Celltrion Healthcare, which handles Celltrion’s overseas business, the exact date of the launch.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)