Copaxone afforded extra protection after new dosage approved

Israel-based Teva Pharma has won extra patent protection for its multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) after receiving approval by the US regulator the FDA to market a longer-acting version of the drug, which was first approved in the US back in 1996.

Bloomberg said Teva generated sales of 4.2 billion US dollars last year for its 20-milligram, daily formulation of the injection. The new approval means glatiramer can now be used in 40-milligram shots given three times a week.

"We have progressively invested in the innovation of Copaxone in an effort to understand the needs and to ease the burden of patients who live with relapsing forms of MS every day.

"Today we are proud to continue to deliver on that investment by offering the freedom to dose three-times-a-week with Copaxone 40 mg/mL."

Larry Downey, president, North America specialty medicines, Teva.

Related news:

Teva gains US approval for higher-dose Copaxone therapy (Bloomberg).

Corks are a-popping at Teva with FDA nod for its new Copaxone formula (FiercePharma).

Reference links:

Teva announces US FDA approval of three-times-a-week Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) 40mg/ml (Teva press release).

Copaxone website (Teva).