Sandoz experiences sales increase in Q2 2013

Sandoz has experienced strong year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2013, according to data from parent company Novartis' latest financial report.

The Novartis figures show that Sandoz's net sales increased by three percent during the quarter to $2.2 billion (1.45 billion pounds), while its core operating income also rose by the same percentage.

Meanwhile, for the first six months of the year, Sandoz's sales came to $4.5 billion, up by five percent on the corresponding period of last year.

This growth was driven by the company's recent acquisition of Fougera and double-digit increases in retail generics and biosimilar sales in western Europe and emerging markets.

Biosimilars proved to be a particularly important contributor to Sandoz's success, with the firm having recently reinforced its leadership in this sector by launching a major phase III clinical trial of its biosimilar version of the psoriasis drug Enbrel.

Preclinical and clinical data has demonstrated that the Sandoz biosimilar is highly similar to the original Amgen product, thereby justifying the progression to phase III testing.