Sandoz biosimilar filgrastim recommended for approval by FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee

  • Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) votes in favor of recommending biosimilar filgrastim for approval in the US
  • Biosimilar filgrastim recommended to be approved for use in all requested indications
  • Committee’s recommendation based on review of extensive data from analytical, non-clinical, clinical studies and post-marketing pharmacovigilance
8. 1. 2015

Sandoz, a Novartis company, announced yesterday that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended approval of its investigational biosimilar filgrastim in the US. The Committee also recommended approval of the biosimilar for use in all indications included in the reference product’s label.

“We are pleased with the ODAC’s recommendation to approve our biosimilar filgrastim and we look forward to continuing to work with FDA as it completes its review of our filing,” said Mark McCamish, M.D., Ph.D., Head of Global Biopharmaceutical & Oncology Injectables Development at Sandoz. “We are proud to lead the way in biosimilars globally and believe this positive recommendation brings us one step closer to delivering high-quality biosimilars to patients in the US.”

The recommendation was provided after the presentation of a comprehensive package of nonclinical, clinical and post-marketing pharmacovigilance data which confirmed Sandoz’ biosimilar filgrastim is highly similar to the reference product. The pivotal clinical package included a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) study in healthy volunteers, which established bioequivalence, and a clinical efficacy and safety study in breast cancer patients which demonstrated the same clinical performance and safety as the reference product.

The clinical package is also supported by a global program including five randomized, double-blind, single and multiple dose PK/PD studies in healthy volunteers to assess pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence between biosimilar filgrastim and reference product and a European non-comparative clinical safety and efficacy study. Post-marketing pharmacovigilance data from countries outside of the US also contributed to the totality of evidence.

The Sandoz biosimilar filgrastim has been marketed in more than 40 countries outside the US, generating nearly 7.5 million patient-exposure days of experience.

FDA frequently seeks the advice of its advisory committees as it reviews and decides whether to approve treatments, although it is not obligated to follow the recommendation.

Sandoz is the global leader with over 50 percent volume share of all biosimilars approved in the highly-regulated markets of Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia. Sandoz currently markets three biosimilars outside the US; each of which occupies the #1 biosimilar position in its respective category. Sandoz biosimilars are sold in over 60 countries and have generated over 200 million patient-exposure days in experience. Sandoz also has an unrivalled biosimilars pipeline with several molecules in various stages of development, including six molecules in Phase III clinical trials/registration – more than any other company in the industry.

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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/en.

Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a global leader in the generic pharmaceutical sector. Sandoz employs over 26,500 employees and its products are available in more than 160 countries, offering a broad range of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With USD 9.2 billion in sales in 2013, Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1,100 molecules, and holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars as well as in generic injectables, ophthalmics, dermatology and antibiotics, complemented by leading positions in the cardiovascular, metabolism, central nervous system, pain, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and hormonal therapeutic areas. Sandoz develops, produces, and markets these medicines, as well as active pharmaceutical and biotechnological substances. Nearly half of Sandoz’s portfolio is in differentiated products, which are defined as products that are more difficult to scientifically develop and manufacture than standard generics.
In addition to strong organic growth since consolidating its generics businesses under the Sandoz brand name in 2003, Sandoz has benefitted from strong growth of its acquisitions, which include Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US), and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US).
Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Sandoz_global at http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global.

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, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2013, the Group achieved net sales of USD 57.9 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 133,000 full-time-equivalent associates and sell products in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.

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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.

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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