Sandoz first to market a new generic nasal spray in Slovenia
Sandoz announces that it has launched in Slovenia a generic mometasone nasal spray for the treatment of seasonal or perennial allergy rhinitis and symptomatic treatment of nasal polyps.
Sandoz is the first to market generic mometasone nasal spray in Slovenia. Mometasone nasal spray has already been approved in more than 20 EU countries and has also been launched in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.
“The development of a generic version of mometasone is an important achievement for Sandoz both scientifically and commercially,” said Zvonko Bogdanovski, a member of the Board of management of Lek, a Sandoz company.
“To develop such a generic product requires significant investment in development as well as specific expertise and analytical equipment. We are extremely proud that we have been able to achieve this,” he added.
Advantages of nasal spray for patients
Sandoz’s generic mometasone nasal spray offers patients with allergic rhinitis the choice of a nasal spray in addition to antihistamines which we already offer in our portfolio.
With this nasal spray we are further expanding our broad range of anti-allergy medicines.
Allergic Rhinits
Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common and distressing allergic conditions in Western countries. Around 20% of the adult population in Europe suffers from allergic rhinitis symptoms. In the USA, allergic rhinitis is one of the top 10 reasons for visits to primary care physicians. In recent years, the prevalence of the disease has been increasing worldwide.1, 2.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include an itchy nose, sneezing, increased nasal discharge, blocked nose and also conjunctivitis. It often coincides with asthma. The two types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and perennial allergic rhinitis (occurring year-round and not necessarily caused by an allergen). The most common cause is exposure to pollen (especially in the spring and summer) and to other allergens (such as dust mites, pet dander).2
References:
1. C. van Drunen et al. Nasal allergies and beyond: a clinical review of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of mometasone furoate. Allergy 2005: 60 (Suppl. 80): 5–19.
2. Turel M., Jenko K. Alergijski rhinitis – posledice in zdravljenje. ISIS 2009; 5: 53-54.
Lek, a Sandoz company, is one of key pillars of the second-largest generic pharmaceutical company globally. Its role within Sandoz is to act as: a leading global development center for products and technologies; a global manufacturing center for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines; a competence center for the development of vertically integrated products; a Sandoz competence center in the field of development and manufacturing of biosimilar products; and, a supply center for the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South East Europe (SEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and it is responsible for sales on the Slovenian market. For further information please visit http://www.lek.si/eng/.
Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is the second-largest generic pharmaceuticals company globally, offering a broad range of over 1,000 high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With approximately 25,000 employees in 140 countries, Sandoz holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars as well as generic injectables, ophthalmics, dermatology and antibiotics. Key product groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US) and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US). In 2012, Sandoz posted sales of USD 8.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.sandoz.com.
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 128,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.
This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.
For additional information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
Fax: +386 1 580 24 32
katarina.klemenc@sandoz.com