Generics/News

Pfizer and Merck COVID-19 antiviral progress

Generics/News | Posted 12/11/2021

Pfizer has announced that its COVID-19 oral antiviral candidate, Paxlovid, can significantly reduce hospitalization and death of COVID patients. At the same time, Merck is under pressure to get its COVID-19 antiviral, molnupiravir, to reach those in developing countries.

Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy’s generics progress in EU and US

Generics/News | Posted 05/11/2021

October 2021 saw the steps forward in the approval of a Sun Pharmaceutical’s sitagliptin fumarate generic in Europe, and Dr Reddy’s lenalidomide generic in the US.

Oncology generics launched by MSN Labs and Natco Pharma

Generics/News | Posted 29/10/2021

In late September 2021, MSN Labs launched Cabolong, a branded generic of Cabozantinib for treatment of renal cell carcinoma in India. This was followed by the early October announcement that in the US, Natco Pharma launched 10 mg strength everolimus tablets, an oncology generic of Novartis’ Afinitor.

Sandoz launches ferumoxytol and pemetrexed generics

Generics/News | Posted 03/09/2021

Sandoz has launched ferumoxytol iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) treatment in the US and pemetrexed oncology treatment in Europe.

US generic approvals for Acrux and Cipla

Generics/News | Posted 16/07/2021

In late June 2021, Australian pharmaceutical company Acrux received United State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market its generic version of Vallant’s Jubila (efinaconazole). In addition, Indian generics maker Cipla received final FDA approval for a generic version of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc’s Brovana, an arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution.

Natco cancer generic approval and advances for Lannett asthma and diabetes products

Generics/News | Posted 25/06/2021

In early June 2021, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Natco Pharma’s abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for carfilzomib vials, a generic version of anticancer drug Kyprolis. It also accepted Lannett’s ANDA for their generic version of asthma treatment Adavir Diskus, fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder.

FDA approval for schizophrenia and HIV generics from Zydus Cadila and Lupin

Generics/News | Posted 21/06/2021

On 27 May 2021, Zydus Cadila received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market fluphenazine hydrochloride tablets which is used to treat schizophrenia and other types of mental condition. On 7 June 2021, Lupin Ltd received approval for emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate tablets which are used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV. 

Zydus Cadila and Sandoz generics approvals in North America

Generics/News | Posted 31/05/2021

In April 2021, Zydus Cadila received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its ibrutinib and macitentan generics. In addition, in May 2021, Sandoz Canada announced the launch of their pirfenidone, a generic version of F. Hoffmann-La Roche’s Esbriet®.

EMA recommends approval of abiraterone and ioflupane (123I) generics

Generics/News | Posted 07/05/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medical Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended granting marketing authorizations for two generic medicinal products at its April 2021 meeting.

Tentative US approval for Symbicort generic

Generics/News | Posted 23/04/2021

On 8 March 2021, Viatris Inc and Kindeva Drug Delivery LP announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the tentative approval of their generic version of Symbicort® (budesonide/formoterol).

EMA recommends approval of abiraterone and thiotepa generics

Generics/News | Posted 02/04/2021

In January and February 2021, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) held meetings that led to positive opinions towards the recommendation for approval of two generics, Abiraterone Accord (abiraterone) and Thiotepa Riemser (thiotepa).

Teva and Sandoz launch new generics

Generics/News | Posted 26/03/2021

In early 2021, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the US launch of generic versions of NuvaRing® and AZOPT®. During the same period, Sandoz launched its version of Firazyr.

EMA recommends approval of fourth COVID-19 vaccine

Generics/News | Posted 19/03/2021

11 March 2021 saw the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for the fourth COVID-19 vaccine. After a thorough evaluation, EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) concluded that data on the Janssen vaccine were robust and met the criteria for efficacy, safety and quality.  

Posaconazole, silodosin and droxidopa generics from Lupin and Sandoz

Generics/News | Posted 12/03/2021

Early 2021 saw the launch of two generic versions of posaconazole in Canada and the US. In Canada, the first generic version of the drug was launched by pharmaceutical manufacturer Sandoz Canada on 26 January 2021, along with a generic version of silodosin. These launches were followed by the launch of Lupin’s generic posaconazole in the US in mid-February 2021. During the same period, Lupin also announced the US approval of its generic droxidopa capsules [3].

Biocon and Lupin launch generic tacrolimus capsules in US

Generics/News | Posted 05/02/2021

India-based generics makers Biocon and Lupin have both launched generic tacrolimus capsules in the US.

Teva launches first Truvada and Atripla generics and two digital inhalers

Generics/News | Posted 20/11/2020

On 2 October 2020, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved generic versions of Truvada (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) and Atripla (efavirenz 600 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) tablets for the treatment of HIV-1.

EMA recommends approval of Lenalidomide Mylan

Generics/News | Posted 13/11/2020

The European Medicine Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 15 October 2020 that it recommends granting marketing authorization for the generic medicine Lenalidomide Mylan (lenalidomide).

COVID-19 vaccine progress and FDA approvals for Zydus Cadila

Generics/News | Posted 13/11/2020

India-based generics company, Zydus Cadila, has had many advancements with product development and approval between August and October 2020. In August, the company announced that its plasmid DNA vaccine to prevent COVID-19 (ZyCoV-D) was found to be safe and well tolerated in the phase I clinical trial. Following this, phase II trials of the vaccine started on 6 August 2020. In October, Zydus Cadila had a number of products approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was launching a forglyn pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in India.

FDA approves Glenmark and Cipla generics

Generics/News | Posted 30/10/2020

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Cipla Limited have announced that they have received US food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market their generic drug products in the US. Both companies have received approval to market dimethyl fumarate delayed-release (DR) capsules and Glenmark also received approval to market Sirolimus tablets. 

Sun Pharma launches Ilumya in Japan and favipiravir in India

Generics/News | Posted 16/10/2020

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc (Sun Pharma) announced that their innovative biopharmaceutical product, Ilumya (tildrakizumab), will be launched in Japan. As a producer of generics, rather than biologicals, this is an important milestone for the company. This launch joins Sun Pharma’s August 2020 launch of favipiravir for treatment of COVID-19 patients at a very economic price in India.