Roche's faster Tecentriq injection cuts cancer treatment time to minutes
Roche Pharma has introduced a faster, injectable version of its cancer drug Tecentriq in India. The new subcutaneous formulation cuts treatment time from hours to minutes, easing the burden on overstretched oncology units. Patients with non-small cell lung cancer—the country’s most common form of the disease—will benefit from the change. Tecentriq is an immunotherapy that helps the immune system detect and attack cancer cells. It works by blocking proteins that tumours use to evade the body’s defences. Until now, the drug was given through an intravenous (IV) infusion, which could take up to five hours per session.
The updated version is injected under the skin in just seven minutes. This shift not only speeds up individual treatments but also allows clinics to serve multiple patients in the time previously needed for one. Overcrowded oncology departments may now manage higher patient volumes more efficiently. Subcutaneous delivery offers another advantage: it removes the need to locate usable veins in frail or advanced-stage cancer patients. Roche has also launched the 'Blue Tree' programme to reduce out-of-pocket costs. This includes financial adjustments and equated monthly instalment (EMI) support for eligible patients. The maximum retail price for a single dose of Tecentriq remains around Rs 3.7 lakh.
The faster injection method could transform cancer care in India by saving time and improving access. Clinics will handle more patients daily, while those with difficult vein access face fewer delays. Roche’s financial assistance programme aims to further ease the cost burden for those receiving treatment.
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