Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) today announced the launch of a generic version of Tracleer®1 (bosentan) tablets, 62.5 mg and 125 mg, in the U.S.
Bosentan Tablets are an endothelin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1) in adults to improve exercise ability and to decrease worsening of the condition. PAH is high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. Due to the risks of liver damage, and serious birth defects, Bosentan Tablets are available only through a restricted distribution program called the Bosentan REMS Program.
“The launch of Bosentan Tablets in the U.S. is an important addition to Teva’s generics portfolio,” said Brendan O’Grady, EVP and Head of North America Commercial. “The exact cause of PAH is unknown with no known cure.2 We are proud to offer another generic treatment option to patients living with this chronic condition.”
With nearly 500 generic medicines available, Teva has the largest portfolio of FDA-approved generic products on the market and holds the leading position in first-to-file opportunities, with over 100 pending first-to-files in the U.S. Currently, one in nine generic prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. is filled with a Teva generic product.
About Bosentan Tablets
Bosentan Tablets are indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) in adults to improve exercise ability and to decrease clinical worsening. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominantly patients with WHO Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (60%), PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (21%), and PAH associated with congenital heart disease with left-to-right shunts (18%).
Important Safety Information
WARNING: Risks of Hepatotoxicity and Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Because of the risks of hepatotoxicity and birth defects, Bosentan Tablets are available only through a restricted program called the Bosentan REMS Program. Elevations of liver aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and liver failure have been reported with bosentan. Bosentan is likely to cause major birth defects if used by pregnant females based on animal data. Therefore, pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with Bosentan Tablets.
Use of bosentan is contraindicated in females who are or may become pregnant. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use two reliable forms of contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping bosentan. Coadministration of cyclosporine A and bosentan resulted in markedly increased plasma concentrations of bosentan. Therefore, concomitant use of bosentan and cyclosporine A is contraindicated. An increased risk of liver enzyme elevations was observed in patients receiving glyburide concomitantly with bosentan. Therefore coadministration of glyburide and bosentan is contraindicated. Bosentan is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to bosentan or any component of the product. Observed reactions include Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), anaphylaxis, rash, and angioedema.
Peripheral edema is a known clinical consequence of PAH and worsening PAH and is also a known effect of bosentan and other endothelin receptor antagonists. In PAH clinical trials with bosentan, combined adverse events of fluid retention or edema were reported in 1.7% (placebo-corrected) of patients. In addition, there have been numerous postmarketing reports of fluid retention in patients with pulmonary hypertension occurring within weeks after starting bosentan. Patients required intervention with a diuretic, fluid management, or hospitalization for decompensating heart failure. Pulmonary edema could be the possibility of associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.
Decreased sperm counts have been observed in patients receiving bosentan. Preclinical data also suggest that bosentan, similar to other endothelin receptor antagonists, may have an adverse effect on spermatogenesis. Treatment with bosentan can cause a dose-related decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit. There have been postmarketing reports of decreases in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit that have resulted in anemia requiring transfusion.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 3% and greater than placebo) were respiratory tract infection, headache, edema, chest pain, syncope, flushing, hypotension, sinusitis, arthralgia, abnormal serum aminotransferases, palpitations, and anemia. Respiratory tract infection and anemia occurred at a rate greater than or equal to 3% more than placebo.
For more information, please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information, including the Boxed Warning. A copy may be requested from Teva US Medical Information at 888-TEVA-USA (888-838-2872), druginfo@tevapharm.com, or Teva’s Public Relations or Investor Relations contacts.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve people’s lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 35,000 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the launch and potential benefits of the generic version of Tracleer ® (bosentan) tablets which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to:
and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, including the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information.
1 Tracleer® is a registered trademark of Actelion
Pharmaceuticals Ltd
2 https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/pulmonary-arterial-hypertension/
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