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news.US-based pharmaceutical firm Alvogen has launched the first generic version of the cancer drug Velcade (Bortezomib) in Bulgaria.
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Bortezomib, which will be marketed under the brand name Vortemyel, is the first therapeutic proteasome inhibitor anticancer drug, used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
Following the Bulgarian launch, the company will also roll-out Vortemyel across several other Central and Eastern European markets.
Velcade is Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Cilag’s reference product with sales of more than $200m in 2014 in Central and Eastern European.
Alvogen CEE region executive vice-president Petar Vazharov said: "We are excited to be the first company to offer cancer patients and health care providers in Bulgaria the generic version of Velcade, delivering on our mission to increase local access to high quality generic pharmaceuticals.
"Vortemyel represents an important milestone for our injectable anti-cancer portfolio. It offers a more affordable – but equally effective – treatment option for cancer patients, delivering compelling cost saving opportunities for health insurance system in CEE region."
The company, which is focused on developing, manufacturing and selling generic, brand, over-the-counter (OTC) brands and biosimilar products, operates four manufacturing and development hubs in the US, Romania, Korea and Taiwan.