Sandoz completes acquisition of leading antifungal agent Mycamine® from Astellas, reinforcing leading global anti-infectives portfolio

• Sandoz completes acquisition of worldwide brand rights for Mycamine^® (micafungin sodium) from Astellas 

• Leading global echinocandin, one of three major antifungal classes, will significantly reinforce Sandoz hospital offering and leading anti-infectives portfolio

• Addition of Mycamine ^® will support Sandoz drive to ensure responsible use of antimicrobials, through targeted use of most appropriate therapies

Basel, August 28, 2023 – Sandoz, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, has successfully completed the acquisition of worldwide brand rights for leading systemic antifungal agent Mycamine ^® (micafungin sodium, Funguard^® in Japan) from Astellas.

Through this acquisition of the leading global echinocandin, one of three major antifungal classes, Sandoz significantly reinforces its global hospital offering and leading anti-infectives portfolio.

Astellas reported Mycamine^® sales of JPY 14.2 billion (USD 105 million) for the year ending March 31, 2023. The announcement comes after Sandoz successfully completed the acquisition of GSK’s global cephalosporins portfolio in October 2021.

Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor said: “This is another sign of our commitment at Sandoz to driving responsible access to critical antimicrobial medicines. We are both investing in our production network and selectively building out our leading portfolio in this field to ensure that we can continue to offer patients around the world the right medicine at the right time.”

Mycamine^® has a global patient base of well over two million. It is a therapy of choice in hospitals and intensive care units worldwide, a proven prophylactic in hematology and oncology patients, and widely used in organ transplants.

It is indicated for treatment of invasive candidiasis and esophageal candidiasis, which are currently both on the rise with a higher occurrence of associated hospital outbreaks, as well as prevention of candida and aspergillus infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our vision is to be the world’s leading and most valued generics and biosimilars company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines covers all major therapeutic areas.

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