Waving a threat signal to the generic leader Teva Pharmaceuticals, the US-based Mylan Inc has signed a license and supply agreement with Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma Ltd for Natco?s glatiramer acetate pre-filled syringes, which is the generic version of Teva?s Copaxone, used to treat multiple sclerosis.
Mylan Inc, with a presence in more than 90 countries, ranks among the leading diversified generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world while Natco Pharma Ltd is ranked among the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the country. It manufactures branded and generic dosage forms, bulk actives and intermediates for Indian and international markets.
?We had spoken with several potential partners since we launched glatiramer as a generic in India last year,? Chowdary V Nannapaneni, CMD, Natco Pharma said adding that the collaboration would help to unlock the extraordinary value of this product in the US and around the world.
The agreement grants Mylan exclusive distribution rights in the US and all major markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada and includes an option to expand into additional territories. Natco has also commercialised successfully its glatiramer acetate product in India and Ukraine. Officials from Mylan’s subsidiary, Matrix Laboratories, were not available for comments.
However, industry sources point out that Teva earned more than $1.7 billion in 2007 through Copaxone sales. ?If this product becomes generic, (although it is not easy to file a Para-IV as the manufacturing process is too difficult,) Teva is bound to reap huge losses,? sources said. Incidentally, this is the only branded product in Teva’s portfolio and is making majority of its profits through its sales.
It is more of a gear-up excersise by Mylan to counter Teva, which is presently holding the number one position for Copaxone. The other company in the market is Sandoz, which paid about $1 billion to buy Momenta to manufacture two products, out of which one is Copaxone.
