Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) has received European approval for its drug Aclasta for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The treatment is taken once a year and has been shown to reduce fractures normally affected by osteoporosis such as spine, wrists and hips. Belonging to a drug family called bisphosphonates, it has long been used to treat the osteoporosis which affects over 94 million people in the E.U. and U.S.
Aclasta is given as an annual 15 minute, to fight osteoporosis, which is a symptom of aging. The bones start to become less dense, later in life, and that increases the risk of fracture. Typically women suffer from it more than men. Aclasta, marketed as Reclast in the U.S. has already received FDA approval.
"Aclasta is highly effective at reducing fractures and can be given once-yearly which is a significant benefit to patients and clinicians," said Steven Boonen, Professor of Medicine at the Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases & Division of Geriatric Medicine at the Leuven University in Belgium. "The convenience of a once-yearly dose should improve compliance and bone protection among patients while reducing fracture-related hospitalization and healthcare costs."
A New England Journal of Medicine study in hip fracture patients showed that Aclasta reduced subsequent osteoporotic fractures by 35% and mortality by 28%.
[Source: Novartis Press Release]
» Novartis AG from PharmaGazette
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS), rated #4 in sales found itself at #6 ($4.06 EUR) for total research and development budget in 2006. 2007 had goods news from Novartis with FDA and EU approval of osteoporosis drug, Aclasta/Reclast and hypertension drug, tek... [Read More]
Tracked on: December 12, 2007 7:13 AM | Permalink to Trackback