Actavis debuts generic Diovan in major European markets

Iceland-headquartered generic drug major Actavis Group revealed on Friday that it has launched Valsartan and Valsartan HCT in nine European countries immediately after the patents expired on 12 and 13 November 12 and 13.

Valsartan is the active ingredient of Swiss drug major Novartis’ (NOVN: VX) blockbuster antihypertensive Diovan, which generated global sales of $1.4 billion in the third quarter of this year, down 7% on the like 2010 period due to Actavis copy versions already coming onto the markets where the patent expired earlier.

The angiotensin II inhibitor, used for high blood pressure, is now being marketed by Actavis in Austria, Germany, Denmark, UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and France - many of Western Europe's biggest markets. Valsartan is manufactured by Actavis in Malta and Dupnitza, Bulgaria.