Teva Pharmaceuticals’ hit product Copaxone (Glatil acetate) is a synthetic peptide preparation consisting of four amino acids: glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine and lysine. Copaxone was approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in 1996. In Western countries with a large number of multiple sclerosis patients, the efficacy and tolerability of Copaxone are well established.
At present, there are no enterprises to declare glatiere or import. Global sales of Copaxone reached $3.6 billion in 2011. The drug reported $909 million in sales in the first quarter of this year. In June, Teva said in its annual economic forecast that the drug could bring in as much as $3.8 billion in revenue this year. But Copaxone’s impressive earnings are also drawing challenges from generics firms. Teva Pharma announced in a New York State court that it had won a legal battle over the patent rights to Copaxone between Momenta Biopharmaceuticals, Novartis Sandoz, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Natco Biopharmaceuticals. Teva’s exclusive marketing rights for the drug will extend through 2014.
Developed by the internationally renowned Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva, Glatil was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in 1996 and is now available in 43 major countries. In western countries with more multiple sclerosis patients, the efficacy and tolerability of glatil have been fully recognized.
In December 2014, Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva successfully developed a long-acting version of Copaxone for the treatment of adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). In the United States, Copaxone is administered in a dosage form of 40mg/ml three times a week and is as effective as regular glatiline Copaxone given once a day.
According to the data of global best-selling drugs, the sales volume of this product from 2010 to 2014 has exceeded $4 billion for five consecutive years, and the market is in a stable development stage. The patent for Copaxone expired in 2015, so the launch of the long-acting Copaxone in major global markets will be an important bargaining chip to defend the increase of its MS franchise.