Bioniche Pharma launches generic Sandostatin

PITTSBURGH — Mylan subsidiary Bioniche Pharma has launched an injectable treatment for a rare metabolic disorder, Mylan said Tuesday.

Mylan announced the launch of octreotide acetate injection in prefilled syringes, a generic version of Novartis’ Sandostatin, used to treat the disorder acromegaly and suppress or inhibit severe diarrhea related to certain tumors. Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone produced in the pituitary gland, causing fatigue and weakness, body odor and carpal tunnel syndrome.

“This approval is particularly important because it is the first and only [prefilled syringe] for this product — branded or generic — providing hospitals and clinics access to a preferred presentation that offers ease, accuracy and convenience of dosing,” Mylan Institutional president Matt Erick said.

Ocreotide acetate injection had sales of about $579 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.