Sandoz is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. As a division of Novartis, its purpose is to discover new ways to improve and extend people’s lives by pioneering novel approaches to provide access to high-quality medicines. Global headquarters are in Holzkirchen, Germany and US headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.
With its experience and capabilities in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of medicines, Sandoz is committed to increasing patient access to high-quality, life-enhancing biosimilars and Value-Added Medicines (VAMs). According to estimates, 1.2 million US patients could gain access to biologics alone by 2025, which is beneficial to all, particularly the elderly, women and those with low or fixed incomes. Sandoz is boldly trailblazing novel approaches to supporting the growing healthcare needs across the world.
Reducing the Rising Treatment Cost with Biosimilars and Generic Medicines
As it continues to reimagine medicine, Sandoz has focused its strategy on specialization in biosimilars, VAMs, complex generics and prescription digital therapeutics, in order to contribute to helping patients gain access to cost-effective and advanced health treatments.
Of note are three medicines that held top market share positions in 2018. Zarxio® (filgrastim-sndz), which stimulates growth of certain white blood cells important to fighting infection, Omnitrope® (somatropin injection), a human growth hormone, and Glatopa® (glatiramer acetate injection) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. As of October 2018, Zarxio® led with over 45% share; Omnitrope® reached its highest total prescriptions (TRx) share with over 24% in a seven-player market and growth of more than 20% and Glatopa® 20 mg/mL continued as the market leader with 38% TRx share.
The successful adoption of Zarxio® into clinical practice saved the US healthcare system about $500 million in less than two years.
Backing the Prescription Digital Therapeutic (PDT) Arena
Another exciting milestone on its journey to reimagine Sandoz was expanding its presence in the digital world. It has collaborated with Pear Therapeutics, enabling it to leverage new technologies and be at the forefront in the digital revolution. In December 2018, Sandoz launched reSET®, the first and only FDA-authorized Prescription Digital Therapeutic (PDT) that leverages technology to strengthen Substance Use Disorder (SUD) therapy. Further, in January 2019, it launched reSET-O™, the first FDA-cleared PDT for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
These flagship launches are proof of Sandoz’s dedicated efforts in identifying innovative solutions to major healthcare issues like the opioid abuse crisis in the US.
Biosimilars as the Solution for Expensive Health Treatments
As stated by the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), biosimilars have the potential to improve the quality of life for American patients and save billions of dollars each year. It is estimated that biosimilars could save the US healthcare system more than $54 billion over 10 years.
Sandoz was the first company to bring biosimilars to US patients. It is also further backing the movement for cost-effective medicines with eight biosimilar medicines approved worldwide. Sandoz’s Zarxio® is the first biosimilar to overtake market share of an originator reference product in the US and remains in the top spot in volume share.
Carol Lynch, Leading the US Transformation of Sandoz
Carol Lynch, Leading the US Transformation of Sandoz Carol Lynch has worked with Sandoz and Novartis for more than 20 years in various roles across several continents. Due to her dedication and extensive experience with Sandoz and Novartis, Carol became President, Sandoz US, and Head of North America, Sandoz Inc. in March 2018 and is a member of the global Sandoz Executive Committee.
Carol oversees commercial operations in the US (the largest commercial and country organization) and Canada and looks after 35% of Sandoz’s global revenue.
Carol appreciates working with smart, strategic people because it helps to promote creativity that will fuel the reimagining of the US business. She believes that one must find purpose in their work and be empowered to improve ways of working to more positively impact patient’s lives.
Currently, Carol and her team are taking bold actions to transform the US business for sustainable long-term growth. To create higher future value, Sandoz is reshaping its portfolio to complement complex generics and biosimilars with VAMs and prescription digital therapeutics.
According to Carol, the company will continue to explore and implement cost-effective biosimilars, complex generics, and PDTs to innovate more accessible solutions that will enrich people’s lives. When asked about her upcoming strategies for Sandoz, Carol asserts, “Our work is not close to being finished. We have several exciting new product launches planned for early 2019, with more to come throughout the year. We are working hard to bring our own portfolio to the market, but more importantly, we are seeking innovative partners who need a strong commercialization collaborator to bring their products to market, too.”
