Thursday, November 26, 2009

Novartis Breathes Life Into Blood Pressure Franchise


Novartis AG (NVS-$55.85) loses patent protection for its $4.4 billion blood pressure medicine Diovan (valsartan) in the major countries of the European Union in 2011 and the following September here in the U.S. Expect generic challengers to strangle Exforge’s (valsartan-amlodipine) lease-on-life, too. Does anyone know CPR? The drugmaker is reaching into its life-cycle playbook to introduce several new fixed-dose combinations before much of its anti-hypertensive franchise experiences near-fatal wheezing episodes.

The two brands comprised almost 23 percent of global pharmaceutical sales for the nine-months ended September 30.

To find out if the novel renin-inhibitor Tekturna can resuscitate Novartis' BP franchise, click through to BNET Pharma….

Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.

No comments: