Novartis and Sandoz report positive data for biosimilar Rixathon

Novartis and Sandoz have announced the publication of new clinical data affirming the safety and efficacy of their new biosimilar drug Rixathon.

Findings from the ASSIST-FL trial have been published in the Lancet Haematology journal demonstrating that the efficacy and safety of Rixathon matches that of the reference biologic MabThera, a Roche-developed therapy for follicular lymphoma.

This data was used part of the submission package on which the European Commission based its recent approval of Rixathon for the treatment of follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and several immunological diseases.

Dr Mark Levick, global head of development for biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz, said: "The publication of these data in Lancet Haematology further evidences that our biosimilar rituximab, recently approved as Rixathon, is a valuable new treatment option for patients with life-threatening blood cancers, as well as immunological diseases."

Sandoz now has five biosimilar medicines approved in Europe and plans to launch a total of five additional oncology and immunology biosimilars between 2017 and 2020.

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