Sandoz launches Valsartan and Valsartan HCT, the generic versions of Diovan® and Diovan-HCT™
Montréal, QC, Canada, February 16, 2011
Sandoz today announced the launch of Sandoz* Valsartan and Sandoz* Valsartan-HCT, generic equivalents of Novartis’ Diovan® and Diovan-HCT™, in Canada.
Sandoz today announced the launch of Sandoz* Valsartan and Sandoz* Valsartan-HCT, generic equivalents of Novartis’ Diovan® and Diovan-HCTTM, in Canada. Sandoz Valsartan is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension and the reduction of cardiovascular mortality in certain patients. Sandoz Valsartan-HCT is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension in patients for whom combination therapy is appropriate.
Sandoz Canada is proud to be leading the introduction of generic versions of Diovan® and Diovan-HCTTM in Canada, whose total combined Canadian sales amounted to approximately CAD 210 million in 2010. “The launch of Sandoz Valsartan and Sandoz Valsartan-HCT is yet another example of Sandoz Canada’s commitment to advancing generics in Canada, as well as Novartis’ global leadership position in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals,” said Michel Robidoux, President of Sandoz Canada.“Furthermore, this launch demonstrates our focus on continuing to advance the pipeline to bring highquality, affordable medicines to Canadian patients as quickly as possible.”
About Sandoz Canada Inc.
With more than 220 molecules, Sandoz Canada offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic products in Canada. Through product development and innovation, Sandoz demonstrates its leadership by constantly adding to its existing portfolio. Sandoz develops, produces, markets and distributes a wide array of oral, topical, rectal, ophthalmic, and injectable generic products in different formulations (suspension, solution, tablet, capsule, cream, ointment, suppository, gelcap, transdermal patches) and various presentations (ampoules, vials, bottles, mini bags). Through its ability to rise to the numerous challenges inherent to the development of sterile generic products, Sandoz Canada’s Development Centre has built a reputation for excellence within the Novartis group. Sandoz Canada employs about 800 people, mostly based at its Boucherville facilities (South Shore of Montréal).
About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1000 compounds and sells its products in about 130 countries. Key product groups include cardiovascular medicines, anti-infectives, treatments for central nervous system and alimentary tract disorders, oncology and respiratory therapies, as well as medications for blood and blood forming organ disorders. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances. 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), and Oriel Therapeutics (US). In 2010, Sandoz employed more than 23,000 people (full-time equivalents) worldwide and achieved net sales of USD 8.5 billion for the full year.
Forward-looking statement
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "leading," "first," “pipeline,” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from valsartan and/or valsartan HCT tablets. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that valsartan and/or valsartan HCT tablets will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management’s expectations could be affected by, among other things, unexpected inabilities to maintain any potential exclusivity periods for our products; approval of additional versions of generic valsartan and/or valsartan HCT tablets; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; patent litigation outcomes; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group’s assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Sandoz Canada Inc. is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information
Sandoz Canada Communications:
Monika Sniec
+1 450 641 4903 ext. 2518
Monika.Sniec@sandoz.com
Sandoz Global Communications:
Marija Mandic
+49 8024 476 2597
Marija.Mandic@sandoz.com
* registered trademark used under license by Sandoz Canada Inc.
® registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
TM trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
