Novartis plans eight launches for 2007
pharmafile | January 18, 2007 | News story | Sales and Marketing |Â Â Â
Novartis is preparing to set a new record for the pharmaceutical industry by launching eight new products in the next 12 months.
The company had a very successful 2006, and has just announced double-digit growth in sales (15%) and profits (18%), but despite its continued growth, Novartis has not overtaken rivals, such as Sanofi-Aventis, GSK and Pfizer, in the industry rankings.
Chief executive Daniel Vasella told journalists at the company's annual result conference, he would not rule out a merger if a good deal appeared, but otherwise said the company would concentrate on organic growth.
Vasella forecast the company would post double-digit sales growth in 2007, but the eight product launches will significantly add to its expenditure over the year.
Head of the pharma division Thomas Ebeling said eight launches – depending on regulatory clearance – would be "unprecedented," the current record being five launches made by Pfizer.
The eight products (listed below) span a range of therapy areas, from cardiovascular medicine to hepatitis B and will stretch the company's resources as it aims to maximise sales as quickly as possible.
Three of the drugs - Exforge (combining Diovan with amlodipine), Tektura, a first-in-class hypertension drug and Galvus, a new diabetes treatment – will be mass marketed to GPs, and will require Novartis to take on more sales reps.
The increase in Novartis' salesforce comes at a time when other companies are considering scaling back their rep numbers, but Ebeling said Novartis would not be unduly swayed by cutbacks elsewhere.
"We calculate our need for fieldforces on the sector we are currently in. If competitors decided to reduce their field forces, then we would reflect on that, but we would not automatically conclude that we needed to reduce as well."
Novartis' eight launches for 2007/8
Exforge
A hypertension pill combining Novartis' top-seller Diovan with amlodopine
Tekturna
The first blood pressure drug with a new mechanism in 10 years. It is expected to be approved by FDA in 2007/8 despite some concerns about side-effects seen in animals.
Galvus
A breakthrough therapy for type II diabetes, although delays mean Merck's rival product Januvia has reached the market first.
Aclasta
A new osteoporosis treatment claimed to be more effective and convenient than existing treatments
Exelon Patch
The company's Alzheimer's drug re-formulated.
Tasigna
A treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia who are resistant to Glivec.
Lucentis
A new biological product for AMD, a leading cause of blindness in the developed world.
Sebiva
A new hepatitis B drug with favourable safety/convenience.
