Sandoz aims to debut five biosimilars by 2020

Sandoz, the generics and biosimilars division of Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN:VX), plans to launch five biosimilars of major oncology and immunology biologics across key geographies by 2020, aiming at broadening access to these treatments for more patients.

The five launches will be enabled by an aggressive regulatory submissions strategy of 11 filings over a three year period (2015-2017), said Sandoz. Furthermore, plans to invest over $1 billion, between 2010 and 2020, in state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facilities in Schaftenau and Kundl, Austria, are expected to ensure that Sandoz’ biosimilar medicines reach patients and healthcare professionals around the world.

"Despite the impressive medical advances of the past century, access to medicines remains the single largest unmet healthcare need in developed and developing countries alike,” said Richard Francis, division head and chief executive of Sandoz, addressing journalists at the Innovating For Patients Sandoz Biosimilars Day in Schaftenau, Austria.