Novartis restates commitment to follow-on biologics
3 September 2008 00:00 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News
Sandoz, a division of the Novartis group, has restated its commitment to the development of follow-on biologics to boost patient access.
The company said such drugs will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring patients can get medication, with the company currently having 25 such compounds under development.
It made these comments after its Omintrope Pen 10 with liquid cartridge was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Sandoz said this new 10mg strength of somatropin offers patients a more convenient dosage form and increased treatment flexibility.
It added the drug offers comparable quality, efficacy and safety compared to the non-generic Genotropin and other recombinant growth hormones on the market.
Bernhard Hampl, chief executive officer of Sandoz, said: "Follow-on biologics are a key part of the Sandoz strategy and we are committed to increasing patient access through follow-on biologics once patents have expired."
He added that approval of Omintrope will facilitate the treatment of a wider spectrum of patients by doctors with a high quality treatment at low cost.
In May 2008, Sandoz published the latest data regarding the safety and efficacy of its biosimilar epoetin alfa product Binocrit as a treatment for anaemia.
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