Novartis says it has made further Aclasta achievements

Novartis has accomplished an important achievement for Aclasta (zoledronic acid five mg), it has stated.

The EU has approved the once-yearly drug to treat men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, which has been caused by long-term use of glucocorticoids.

Often known as steroids, they are commonly used as a therapy for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

However, glucocorticoids can increase the risk of fracture in up to 50 per cent of users over a long period of time because of bone loss.

Studies have found receiving a 15-minute infusion of Aclasta once a year is more effective at helping the problem than risedronate ? a once-daily oral therapy currently used.

Dr Trevor Mundel, global head of development at Novartis, noted the medication has a strong safety and efficacy profile that spans over eight years of clinical trials.

Since it has been launched in 2007, he added, it has been used to treat over 500,000 individuals.

“This European approval marks another important achievement for Aclasta by adding to the broad spectrum of patients who can now be treated with this therapy,” Mr Mundel concluded.

Novartis currently employs nearly 100,000 people worldwide.