NeoRecormon & Epogin Sales Down
Roche NeoRecormon and Chugai Epogin sales have been affected by pricing pressure in a highly competitive market. In Europe sales of NeoRecormon, Roche’s anemia medicine, declined by 10% due to a general downward pricing pressure on erythropoietin-stimulating agents following the entry of several new biosimilar versions of epoetin alfa. In Japan sales of Epogin declined by 23% due to competitive pressure and the latest government-mandated price cuts, which came into force in April.
Sales of Mircera Progressing Slowly
Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta), the first continuous erythropoietin receptor activator for the treatment of symptomatic anemia associated with chronic kidney disease, has now been approved in 54 countries and is currently marketed in 23.
Sales of Mircera are progressing slowly due to the challenging overall market environment but are increasing as Roche wins more contracts and launches the product in additional markets.
In the patent dispute with Amgen, Roche has appealed against a court order that prevents the sale of Mircera in the United States. The appeal is currently pending before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, DC.