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Eli Lilly launches India's first RET-targeted cancer therapy Tanstrive

5 min readSource: The Economic TimesArticle 9 of 16

Pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly has launched Tanstrive (selpercatinib) in India — described as the country's first RET-targeted therapy for solid tumours. Tanstrive is a RET (rearranged during transfection) inhibitor used to treat advanced or metastatic cancers driven by RET gene alterations, a rare but 'actionable' genetic mutation. The oral drug is available in 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg and 160 mg tablet strengths, taken twice daily, and is priced at Rs 2.15 lakh per box, which provides a 14-day treatment regimen. The launch advances the adoption of precision (genomic) medicine in India, where genetic testing increasingly matches patients to targeted therapies rather than conventional chemotherapy.

Key Facts & Details

9 points
  • 1
    Eli Lilly launched Tanstrive (selpercatinib) in India, the country's first RET-targeted therapy for solid tumours.
  • 2
    It is a RET inhibitor for advanced/metastatic cancers with RET gene alterations.
  • 3
    The drug is oral, in 40/80/120/160 mg strengths, taken twice daily.
  • 4
    It is priced at Rs 2.15 lakh per box, covering a 14-day regimen.
  • 5
    The launch boosts precision (genomic) medicine adoption in India.
  • 6
    RET alterations are a rare but actionable genetic mutation in certain cancers.

Deep Dive

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    Targeted therapies act on specific genetic drivers of a tumour, often with fewer side effects than broad chemotherapy.
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    Precision oncology relies on genomic testing to identify mutations like RET that can be matched to specific drugs.
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    The high price highlights the affordability challenge of advanced targeted cancer drugs in India.
Q

Exam Focus

Which company launched the RET-targeted cancer therapy Tanstrive (selpercatinib) in India?

Related Topics

Eli LillyTanstriveCancer therapyPrecision medicineRET inhibitor

Exam Relevance & Angle

Health and pharma launches feature in GA and current-affairs sections. The company (Eli Lilly), the drug (Tanstrive/selpercatinib), the RET-inhibitor mechanism and the Rs 2.15 lakh price point are exam hooks.

Target Exams

SBI POIBPS POIBPS RRB OfficerRBI Grade BSSC CGLSSC CHSLLIC AAOUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

Targeted therapy is a form of cancer treatment that acts on specific molecules or genetic changes driving tumour growth, in contrast to conventional chemotherapy which affects rapidly dividing cells broadly. The RET (Rearranged during Transfection) gene, when altered or fused, can drive certain cancers such as some thyroid and lung tumours; drugs that block it are called RET inhibitors. Selpercatinib is one such inhibitor. The approach is part of precision medicine or precision oncology, which uses genomic testing to match patients with the most effective targeted drugs. Eli Lilly and Company is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical firm.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Targeted therapyRET inhibitorPrecision medicineSelpercatinibGenomic testing

Test Yourself

1 / 2

Tanstrive (selpercatinib), launched in India in June 2026, is a targeted therapy that inhibits which gene alteration?

Source

The Economic Times

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Eli Lilly launches India's first RET-targeted cancer therapy Tanstrive — Current Affairs 2026-06-26