Novartis' Sandoz Launches Generic Version Of Teva's Copaxone In U.S.

(RTTNews) - Sandoz, a Novartis (NVS) company, announced the US launch of Glatopa, the first generic version of Teva's (TEVA) Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) 20 mg/ml one-time-daily multiple sclerosis therapy.

"Sandoz, together with Momenta, is proud to announce the US market launch of a fully substitutable generic version of this important therapy, following FDA approval" said Peter Goldschmidt, President of Sandoz US.

MS is a debilitating disease affecting about half a million individuals in the US alone; only half of those diagnosed are currently treated.

Glatopa, developed in collaboration with Momenta and produced entirely in the US, is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of MS, including those who have experienced a first clinical episode and have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features consistent with MS.

Earlier today, Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MNTA) announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or "CAFC" has again found that U.S. Patent No. 5,800,808, related to a method of manufacturing glatiramer acetate, is invalid as indefinite.