Actavis launches Anastrozole in seven major European markets
Also seeking possible expansion into more European countries
Actavis Group, the international generic pharmaceuticals company headquartered in Iceland, has launched Anastrozole Actavis in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Finland immediately after the patent expired on 11 and 12 February, respectively.
Anastrozole is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Anastrozole Actavis is the generic equivalent of AstraZeneca’s brand product Arimidex.
The brand had sales of €492m in Europe for the 12-month period ended September 2010.
After having its best ever year in 2010, Actavis Group is seeking expansion through deals in the region of €400–500m, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt, citing an interview with Actavis’ chief executive Claudio Albrecht.
Actavis is hoping to expand in Poland, Russia, Turkey and some southern European countries, the newspaper said.
Rival generics firm Stada Group, based in Bad Vilbel, Germany is apparently not on Actavis’ radar.
Last month the firm opened a €8m manufacturing facility extension in Hafnarfjordur, which is powered by geothermal energy.
Actavis said it has around 830 products on the market and about 350 products under development and pending registration.