UCB and Novartis expand German operations

UCB and Novartis have announced that they plan to expand their joint operations in Germany with the signing of a licensing agreement for cardiovascular and diabetes products in the country.

As part of the accord, UCB will extend its commercial rights for the German market – it’s second-largest – to the cardiovascular treatment Provas (valsartan) beyond 2011.

Additionally, it has gained two line extensions – for the products Dafiro (valsartan and amlodipine) and Dafiro HCT (valsartan, amlodipine and HCT), drugs used for the treatment of hypertension with a combination of three compounds.

Two new oral anti-diabetics Jalra and Icandra (vildagliptin and vildagliptin and metformin) will also be commericlaised by UCB under the agreement.

Willy Cnops, vice-president UCB and managing director Germany, stated: “We are extending our cardiovascular and metabolic product portfolio with the most attractive and innovative treatment options to date in line with UCB’s ambitions to offer the best medicines to our patients.”

UCB received some further good news in recent weeks, as its Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) packaging won an accolade at the Red Dot Awards for outstanding design.