Sandoz launches generic version of Eisai’s Dacogen

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz last week announced the U.S. market introduction of decitabine for injection, a generic version of Eisai’s Dacogen. According to IMS Health, aggregate U.S. sales for Dacogen were approximately $251 million for the 12 months ended April 2014. Sandoz will market decitabine injection in 20 mL/50 mg single-dose vials, the same size and strength marketed by the brand. 

 

Decitabine for injection is a prescription medicine for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, including previously treated and untreated MDS and de novo (cause unknown) and secondary (treatment-related) MDS of all French-American-British subtypes (refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) and intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high-risk International Prognostic Scoring System groups. 

 

There are about 13,000 new cases of myelodysplastic syndrome each year in the United States, and the number continues to grow given that the average age of the population has increased.

 

“We are pleased to add decitabine for injection to our strong portfolio of generic oncology injectables,” stated Peter Goldschmidt, president of Sandoz US. “We will continue to invest in this therapeutic area to strengthen and grow our oncology portfolio while increasing patient access to high-quality, cost-saving treatment options.”  

 

InnoPharma developed the generic formulation of decitabine for injection and entered into an agreement with Sandoz, pursuant to which Sandoz will sell, market and distribute decitabine for injection in the United States.