Sandoz acquires Mycamine, reinforcing its anti-infectives portfolio

Sandoz acquires Mycamine, reinforcing its anti-infectives portfolio

(IN BRIEF) Sandoz, a global leader in off-patent (generic and biosimilar) medicines, has signed an agreement to acquire worldwide product rights for leading systemic antifungal agent Mycamine® (micafungin sodium, Funguard® in Japan) from Astellas. This acquisition will reinforce Sandoz’s hospital offering and anti-infectives portfolio, as well as support its global program to combat antimicrobial resistance by targeted use of most appropriate therapies. The acquisition is anticipated to close in H1 2023, subject to standard conditions and regulatory approvals.

(PRESS RELEASE) BASEL, 24-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Sandoz, the global leader in off-patent (generic and biosimilar) medicines, has signed an agreement to acquire worldwide product rights for leading systemic antifungal agent Mycamine® (micafungin sodium, Funguard® in Japan) from Astellas. Closing is anticipated in the course of H1, 2023, subject to standard conditions and regulatory approvals.

Acquiring this leading global echinocandin, one of three major antifungal classes, will significantly reinforce Sandoz’s hospital offering and leading anti-infectives portfolio. The addition of Mycamine® will support Sandoz’s global program to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by targeted use of most appropriate therapies.

Astellas reported Mycamine® sales of JPY 18.9 billion (USD 135 million) for the year ending March 31, 2022. The announcement comes after Sandoz successfully completed the acquisition of GSK’s global cephalosporins portfolio in October 2021.

“Acquiring this leading and respected global brand will significantly reinforce the Sandoz global hospital offering, as well as complement our existing global leadership position in generic antibiotics,” said Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor. “This will also be an important addition to our growing portfolio of anti-infective therapies aimed at combatting the spread of antimicrobial resistance, by providing the right drug to the right patient at the right time.”

Mycamine® is a leading global echinocandin, one of three major classes of antifungal agents, with a global patient base of well over two million. It is a therapy of choice in hospitals and intensive care units worldwide, a proven prophylactic in hematology and oncology patients, and widely used in organ transplants.

“Modern medicine is increasingly characterized by the need for complex interventions involving highly vulnerable patients,” said Sandoz Anti-Infectives global medical lead Nicholas Adomakoh. “This welcome and timely portfolio addition will allow us to respond even better to the needs of patients and clinicians across the healthcare continuum.”

About Sandoz:

Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world’s leading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2021 sales of USD 9.6 billion.

Disclaimer 
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SOURCE: Sandoz International GmbH