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EC approval ''further reinforces Sandoz''s position''

13 Feb 2009

The "pioneer position" of Sandoz in the industry has been reinforced by the European Commission approval of a biosimilar medicine, the company said today.

As a division of Novartis specialising in generic pharmaceuticals, Sandoz has now had three of its biosimilar medicines given the go-ahead.

Filgratism is a natural protein and one used in this product to treat neutropenia. This condition is characterised by a lack of a common type of infection-fighting white blood cell - called neutrophil - and is usually linked with bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy.

Sandoz stated the drug has now been approved for use with the same collection of indications as Neupogen - its reference product.

Chief executive officer Jeff George said: "Sandoz is looking forward to providing this important new cost-effective option for oncology patients.

"Filgrastim particularly helps patients receiving chemotherapy to increase their neutrophil counts."

The news follows an announcement made this week by Novartis regarding its acquisition of the global rights to anti-clotting compound elinogrel.