Novartis subsidiary Sandoz has introduced Glatopa in the US, a generic version of Teva’s Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) 20mg/ml one-time-daily multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy.
Glatopa is claimed to be the first FDA-approved and substitutable generic version of Copaxone 20mg to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
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Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease that affects around half a million individuals in the US and only half of those diagnosed are currently treated.
Sandoz US president Peter Goldschmidt said: "Sandoz, together with Momenta, is proud to announce the US market launch of a fully substitutable generic version of this important therapy, following FDA approval."
Developed in partnership with Momenta, Glatopa is completely produced in the US to treat patients with relapsing forms of MS, including those who have experienced a first clinical episode and have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features consistent with MS
Glatopa expands Sandoz’s MS portfolio, which already includes two approved therapies and one late-stage development compound.
Sandoz portfolio includes around 1,100 molecules and generated around $9.6bn sales in 2014. The company is claimed to be the top producer of biosimilars, generic anti-infectives, ophthalmic and transplantation medicines.
It also produces products in therapeutic areas ranging from generic injectables, dermatology and respiratory to cardiovascular, metabolism, central nervous system, pain and gastrointestinal.
In addition, Sandoz develops and markets finished dosage form (FDF) medicines and intermediary products such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and biotechnological substances.
Image: Photomicrograph of a demyelinating MS-Lesion. Photo: courtesy of Marvin 101.
