Sandoz Canada launches Salinex ProTect™

Boucherville, QC, August 27, 2013 – Sandoz Canada announced today the launch in Canada of Salinex ProTect™.

Salinex ProTect™ is a 20 mL nasal spray indicated for the early treatment of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract and the early treatment of common cold for both adults and children.

As a non-pill alternative to fighting the common cold, Salinex ProTect™ works by creating a protective layer in the nasal cavity which helps reduce the spreading and proliferation of the common cold virus rather than medicinal absorption into the body. It provides symptomatic relief for nasal congestion and runny nose and helps to reduce the duration of cold symptoms by reducing viral load in nasal secretions when used at the onset of cold symptoms.

“Salinex ProTect™ is Canada’s first-to-market nasal spray product containing Iota-Carrageenan, which is derived from a red algae or seaweed and helps reduce the replication process of the virus. Clinical research has shown that this product provides relief against the common cold and upper respiratory tract viruses,” said Michel Robidoux, President and General Manager of Sandoz Canada. ”The launch of Salinex ProTect™ further expands our current line of Salinex nasal spray products which includes saline nasal sprays for adults and children, as well as pediatric drops.”

According to Health Canada, the common cold affects almost 4 million Canadians every year.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release may contain forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as “new”, “the first” and “pioneer”, or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding future sales of the above-mentioned products. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results with the above-mentioned products to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that the above-mentioned products will receive any additional marketing approvals in any other countries, or that it will reach any particular sales levels. In particular, management’s expectations regarding commercialization of the above-mentioned products could be affected by, among other things, additional analysis of clinical data in respect of the above-mentioned products, new clinical data, unexpected clinical trial results, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally, the company’s ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, competition in general, increased government, industry, and general public pricing pressures, and other risks and factors referred to in the Form 20-F filed by Novartis with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Sandoz is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Sandoz Canada

Established in Boucherville, Quebec, Sandoz Canada and its more than 950 employees is part of Sandoz International GmbH, the world’s second largest producer of generic drugs and a company of the Swiss multinational corporation, Novartis. A leader in its field, Sandoz Canada develops, produces, markets and distributes a wide range of generic products used, among others, in anaesthesia, infectious diseases, oncology, cardiology, and pain management. The Boucherville manufacturing plant specializes in the production of key injectable products.

About Sandoz

Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a global leader in the rapidly growing generics industry. Sandoz offers a broad range of about 1,100 high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With nearly 26,000 employees in approximately 140 countries, Sandoz holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars, injectables, ophthalmics and dermatology as well as a strong global #5 position in inhalables. Key product groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments, and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces, and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US), and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US). In 2012, Sandoz posted sales of USD 8.7 billion.

SOURCE: Sandoz