Novartis Neupogen Biosimilar: On Sale Now

Sept. 3, 2015

Novartis' Zarxio -- the first U.S. biosimilar drug -- is on sale for 15% less than the original drug, Amgen's blockbuster, Neupogen.

The U.S.-based biotech Amgen was fighting to stop the sale of Zarxio by Novartis's Sandoz unit, but a Washington-based appeals court rejected its attempt to block the launch.

Neupogen boosts white blood cell counts to fight infections in cancer patients. According to the WSJ, the U.S. market accounted for more than 70% of Amgen’s $1.16 billion in sales of Neupogen last year.

Read the Sandoz press release