Sandoz, a Novartis company, has announced the US launch of Glatopa, the first generic version of Teva's Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) 20 mg/mL one-time-daily multiple sclerosis therapy.
"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" said Peter Goldschmidt, President of Sandoz US.
MS is a debilitating disease affecting about half a million individuals in the US alone; only half of those diagnosed are currently treated.
Glatopa, developed in collaboration with Momenta and produced entirely in the US, is indicated for the treatment of 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.
The Sandoz service offering will include financial assistance to qualified patients, personalized injection training and 24-hour access to nurses for non-clinical questions.
Fighting MS, together with other CNS disorders, is central to the Novartis mission, and Sandoz's Glatopa joins a broad MS portfolio including two approved therapies and one late-stage development compound.
