Novartis scores EU approval for biosim of Roche's blockbuster Rituxan

Fierce Pharma ------- Roche faces bad news today for its third-top selling drug Rituxan after its cross-town rival Novartis won European approval for its biosimilar, adding to the pressure for the $7.3 billion blockbuster. Rixathon, the copy from Novartis’ Sandoz unit, was approved to treat both blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Sandoz follows Celltrion into the market, which in February won approval of its Rituxan biosimililar, Truxima. Carol Lynch, global head of biopharmaceuticals for Sandoz, said the approval gives patients broader access to a life-enhancing drug. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.