Novartis division’s drug receives approval

Novartis division Sandoz’s biosimilar filgrastim has received approval from the European Commission.

Used as a treatment for neutrophenia, the product is a natural protein produced by recombinant DNA technology and stimulates the creation of white blood cells.

Chief executive officer of Sandoz Jeff George said the organisation was “looking forward” to providing the therapy for oncology patients.

He added: “Filgrastim particularly helps patients receiving chemotherapy to increase their neutrophil counts, meaning they can better avoid the risk of ? serious life threatening infections.”

In April 2006, Sandoz received the first biosimilar medicine-related approval from the commission for its human growth hormone Omnitrope.

The next year, two more of Sandoz’s products within the same category – Binocrit and Epoetin alfa Hexal – were endorsed by the organisation.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis has two sites located in England – Horsham and Grimsby.