Novartis licenses multiple sclerosis biosim

Sept. 3, 2019

Novartis’s Sandoz division announced that it has entered into a global commercialization agreement for a proposed natalizumab biosimilar. The medicine is in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Under the agreement, Polpharma Biologics will maintain responsibilities for development, manufacturing and supply of the biosimilar. Sandoz will commercialize and distribute the medicine in all markets upon approval, through an exclusive global license.

Reference medicine natalizumab is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) that was approved for use more than10 years ago, offering patients a therapeutic option for treating RRMS.

According to Sandoz, the addition of proposed biosimilar natalizumab expands the Novartis/Sandoz portfolio across small molecules, complex generics, biosimilars and innovator medicines enabling broad patient access to patented and off-patent medicines.

Read the full Sandoz release