Norwegian pharmaceutical company Navamedic announced on 12 October 2011 the successful launch of its first two generic pharmaceutical products, which included a generic version of olanzapine. Navamedic’s generic olanzapine has been launched in Finland and the Netherlands, where the market is estimated to be worth approximately Norwegian Kroner (NOK) 70 million.

The other product launched was a generic version of Roche’s CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), an immunosuppressant used after organ transplants. Navamedic’s generic mycophenolate mofetil has been launched in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, where the market is estimated to be worth NOK 160 million.

The company stated that this was an important milestone in the development of Navamedic’s new generics business. Navamedic currently has 11 products under review by medicines authorities, expects to launch eight generic products during 2012 and aims to be one of the top five Nordic generic companies by 2015, according to Navamedic CEO Mr Olof Milveden.

This is not the first generics manufacturer to put pressure on Zyprexa sales. On day one, after Eli Lilly’s patent exclusivity expired in Spain on 25 April 2011, Ranbaxy Laboratories launched a generic version of the Zyprexa [1]. This was then followed by news from Actavis that they had launched a generic version in 11 European countries in September 2011 [2].

Ely Lilly lost patent protection in most major European countries in September 2011. This was good news for generics manufacturers, but not such good news for Eli Lilly, who attributed nearly 22% (US$5 billion) of their 2010 sales to Zyprexa [3].

The markets for generic pharmaceuticals are growing rapidly, as health authorities across Europe encourage generics substitution once patents for the originator products expire. An increasing number of patents will expire over the next few years, supporting continued strong market growth for generics. The Norwegian Medicines Agency estimates that the annual savings in selecting generics alternatives currently amount to NOK 2 billion in Norway alone.

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References

1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Ranbaxy launches generic olanzapine in Spain [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2011 October 28]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Generics/News/Ranbaxy-launches-generic-olanzapine-in-Spain

2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Actavis launches generic olanzapine in 11 European markets [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2011 October 28]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Generics/News/Actavis-launches-generic-olanzapine-in-11-European-markets

3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. 2011’s biggest patent expiries [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2011 October 28]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Policies-Legislation/2011-s-biggest-patent-expiries