Mylan NV has announced the US launch of Caspofungin Acetate for Injection, one of the first generic versions of Merck’s Cancidas.

Mylan received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for this antifungal which has multiple indications.

Caspofungin Acetate for Injection had US sales of approximately $24 million for the 12 months ending 31st July, 2017, according to QuintilesIMS.

Currently, Mylan has 228 ANDAs pending FDA approval, representing approximately $100 billion in annual brand sales. 45 of these pending ANDAs are potential first-to-file opportunities, representing $45.5 billion in annual brand sales, for the 12 months ending 21st July 2017, according to QuintilesIMS.

Currently, one out of every 13 prescriptions filled in the US – brand-name or generic – is a Mylan product.

Caspofungin Acetate for Injection is an echinocandin antifungal indicated in adults and paediatric patients (three months of age and older) for:

  • Empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections in febrile, neutropenic patients
  • Treatment of candidemia and the following Candida infections: intra-abdominal abscesses, peritonitis and pleural space infections
  • Treatment of esophageal candidiasis
  • Treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients who are refractory to or intolerant of other therapies