Sandoz announces EU launch of ready-to-dilute generic Pemetrexed to treat most prevalent form of lung cancer

• Pemetrexed is indicated for patients with non-squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), who represent over 3 in 4 patients with lung cancer¹
  
• New ready-to-dilute format and 1,000 mg strength option helps avoid unnecessary handling steps to reduce associated contamination risks and patient waiting times²
  
• The Pemetrexed launch will expand the Sandoz hospital portfolio in key European markets, strengthening access to treatment options for patients
  

Basel, June 25, 2021 — Sandoz today announced the launch of generic oncology treatment Pemetrexed in 11 countries across Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Spain.

Pemetrexed, as a monotherapy or in combination with cisplatin, is indicated for first-line, second-line and maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) other than predominantly squamous cell histology, and for the treatment of chemotherapy naïve patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.³

Globally, 1.8 million people died from lung cancer in 2020 including over 26,000 deaths from mesothelioma, and approximately 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer including 31,000 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed.⁴ NSCLC is the most prevalent form of the disease, affecting approximately 85% of those diagnosed with lung cancer.^5,6

“At Sandoz, we are committed to using our expertise in product development to enable us to deliver high quality, innovative products that address the needs of patients and healthcare professionals,” said Rebecca Guntern, Head of Sandoz Region Europe. “By providing Pemetrexed in a ready-to-dilute format and in an additional, higher-strength dosage, we believe that this treatment option will not only be more cost-effective for payers, but patients and physicians will also be able to benefit from the reduced preparation steps required.”

Pemetrexed is a multi-targeted antifolate anti-cancer agent that disrupts crucial folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication. It inhibits folate-dependent enzymes critical to the de-novo biosynthesis of nucleotides leading to the disruption of DNA replication. Patients receive the treatment via a 10-minute intravenous infusion in a hospital setting.³

Further launches across Europe are expected throughout the second half of 2021.