Sun Pharma takes on Novartis in the US with generic Glivec
pharmafile | February 2, 2016 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Gleevec, Novartis, Sun Pharma
Mumbai-based drug manufacturer Sun Pharma has launched a generic version of Glivec, for the same indications for which the former Novartis blockbuster is approved in the US.
Pharma companies are now able to produce and sell generic versions of Glivec (imatinib mesylate, known as Gleevec in the US), and Sun Pharma has hit the US market first.
In 2015, Glivec, a blood cancer drug, earned the Swiss firm $4.65 billion in sales. In its recent fourth-quarter results Novartis warned it expected to be hit hard by losses to generic rivals – to the tune of up to $3.2 billion a year.
Joe Jimenez, Novartis chief executive, told investors during a conference call, that “We are going through what is the biggest patent expiration that we have seen since Diovan with Gleevec.” High blood pressure drug Diovan (valsartan) was Novartis’ number-one product till generics hit the market in spring 2015. From $3.5 billion in 2013 sales, including $1.7 billion the US, Diovan has dropped to $1.3 billion.
Sun Pharma’s subsidiary received final approval for imatinib mesylate from the FDA in December 2015. Being a first-to-file product, it was granted 180 days of marketing exclusivity by FDA from the time of its launch. David Epstein, head of Novartis Pharma, added: “Our working assumption is there will be multiple entrants after that six months.”
As part of the launch, Sun Pharma has also rolled at a savings program to make the drug cheaper. The savings card will reduce patient’s out-of-pocket payment to $10, with potential additional savings benefit of up to $700 for a 30-day prescription. The savings card will be made available to over 4,500 oncologists.
Lilian Anekwe
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