GSK has expanded its footprint in India’s cancer care space with the launch of two advanced oncology therapies — Jemperli (dostarlimab) and Zejula (niraparib).
Announced on August 25, this development signals the company’s entry into the country’s oncology segment and reflects its intent to address the growing burden of gynaecological cancers through innovation-led solutions.
Gynaecological cancers are among the most prevalent forms of cancer affecting Indian women, with endometrial and ovarian cancers ranked among the top three.
Projections indicate a sharp increase in incidence by 2045 — 78 percent for endometrial cancer and 69 percent for ovarian cancer. A significant portion of endometrial cancer cases in India are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where current treatment options such as chemotherapy are often limited by toxicity and suboptimal long-term outcomes.
Jemperli has been introduced as the first and only approved PD-1 immunotherapy in India for the second-line treatment of mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. It works by targeting the PD-1 pathway, which helps cancer cells evade the immune system. By blocking this mechanism, Jemperli enables the immune system to detect and attack cancer cells more effectively.
The therapy’s approval is backed by data from the GARNET trial, which studied patients with dMMR/MSI-H advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The results showed an objective response rate of 45.5 percent, with a maintained response probability of 93.3 percent at 12 months and 83.7 percent at 24 months. With an acceptable safety profile, the trial findings point to Jemperli’s potential in offering durable clinical benefits where existing treatment options have fallen short.
Zejula, also launched by GSK, is positioned as the only PARP inhibitor in India approved for first-line monotherapy maintenance treatment in advanced ovarian cancer, across all biomarker types. This once-daily oral therapy is aimed at simplifying treatment regimens and improving patient convenience. The PRIMA trial, a phase-3 global study, has shown that Zejula provides long-term remission in women newly diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer who are at high risk for progression or death, regardless of their biomarker status.
To ensure better patient access to these therapies, GSK is launching a Patient Support Program named ‘Phoenix’.
Bhushan Akshikar, Managing Director, GSK India, said: “The launch of Jemperli and Zejula marks a pivotal moment for GSK in India, as we foray into oncology with a strong focus on innovation-led, high-impact therapies. These therapies address a critical unmet need in gynaecological cancers in India and represent meaningful progress in women’s cancer care. With this launch, we are strengthening our long-term commitment to build the specialty medicine portfolio in India.”
Dr. Shalini Menon, EVP – Medical Affairs, GSK India, said: “Gynaecological cancers represent a growing public health challenge in India, especially among women above the age of 50, and those with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Jemperli introduces immunotherapy into the treatment paradigm for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, offering a targeted option for patients with dMMR tumours. Zejula expands access to a convenient, first-line maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer.”
Both drugs are supported by regulatory approvals from over 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. In India, GSK is also participating in ongoing oncology clinical trials to explore the potential of dostarlimab in treating other cancers such as non-small cell lung, head and neck, and colorectal cancers.
