Sandoz Canada improves patients' access to treatment with the launch of three new generics

Boucherville, QC, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandoz Canada is announcing the addition of three new generic medicines to its portfolio this spring: PrSandoz^® Alfacalcidol, ^PrazaCITIDine for injection, and PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin.

Launched on April 24, ^PrSandoz^® Alfacalcidol is the only generic equivalent to Cheplapharm's PrOne-Alpha* available in Canada. It is a Vitamin D analog used by patients with chronic renal failure, and it is indicated for the management of hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteodystrophy. The medicine is available in 0.25 mcg and 1 mcg blisters of 100 capsules as is the original product. Thanks to the launch, this therapy will now be more accessible for patients in Canada.

PrazaCITIDine for injection, a generic equivalent to ^PrVidaza*, launched on May 1. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients who are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with myelodysplastic syndrome (MS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The product is available in single-use vials of 100 mg, as a sterile powder for subcutaneous injection. With this launch, Sandoz solidified, once again, its foothold in specialized oncology treatments.

PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin, a generic equivalent to AstraZeneca's PrForxiga*, launched on May 17. It is indicated for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes, and to reduce their risk of hospitalization from heart failure. In 2022, 30% of Canadians were living with diabetes or pre-diabetes¹. Also, according to recent data, people with diabetes are over three times more likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease¹. With this launch, Sandoz Canada is a proud to offer even more treatment options for diabetic patients in Canada.  

"We are proud to support patients and their healthcare teams with the addition of these three life-enhancing treatments to our portfolio. These launches strengthened Sandoz's position as a biosimilars and generics leader that is making high-quality medicines more accessible to Canadians," says Michel Robidoux, President and General Manager of Sandoz Canada.

® Registered trademark owned or used under license by Sandoz Canada Inc.
* Registered trademark owned by its respective registrant.

1 Diabetes Canada, "Diabetes in Canada ? Estimated Prevalence and Cost of Diabetes", viewed on April 21, 2023, https://www.diabetes.ca/advocacy---policies/advocacy-reports/national-and-provincial-backgrounders/diabetes-in-canada

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, potential future revenues from the sale of PrSandoz^® Alfacalcidol, PrazaCITIDine for injection, or PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and involve known and unknown risks and significant uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that PrSandoz® Alfacalcidol, PrazaCITIDine for injection, or PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin will be submitted or approved for other additional indications or labelling in other markets, or at any particular time, nor can it be guaranteed that of PrSandoz^® Alfacalcidol, PrazaCITIDine for injection, or PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin will be approved by a regulatory body or will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding of PrSandoz^® Alfacalcidol, PrazaCITIDine for injection, or PrSandoz^® Dapagliflozin could be affected by a number of factors, including: uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical study results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions, delays or government regulations in general; the company's ability to obtain or maintain intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; the global trend towards streamlining healthcare costs, including constant pressure regarding pricing; impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; unexpected manufacturing problems, and other risks and factors mentioned in form 20-F filed by Novartis AG with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Sandoz is providing the information in this media release as of today and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements described herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Sandoz

Sandoz International GmbH is a world leader in generics and biosimilars and a division of the Swiss multinational Novartis. Sandoz Canada is a pioneer, a leader and trusted supplier of quality generics and biosimilars with over 52 million prescriptions per year, based on decades of global experience and capabilities in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of its products. Sandoz launched the first biosimilar in Europe in 2006 and in the Canadian market in 2009. www.sandoz.ca.

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