Teva UK Limited Launches Lonquex[®▼](lipegfilgrastim) - A New Long-Acting G-CSF

CASTLEFORD, England, February 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Teva UK Limited has today launched Lonquex^® (lipegfilgrastim) in the UK.  Lonquex^® is indicated for the reduction of the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in adult patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes).

Lonquex^® is a new long-acting recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) with the active ingredient lipegfilgrastim - a novel glycoPEGylated (PEG; polyethylene glycol) filgrastim molecule.  Lonquex^® is intended as a once per cycle fixed dose, subcutaneous injection for neutrophil support in cancer patients receiving myelosuppresive chemotherapy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes)^[1].

Lonquex^® has undergone a full clinical development programme as part of the efficacy and tolerability assessment for use with chemotherapy patients.  The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended approval for Lonquex^® in this indication in July 2013.  The UK launch is part of a Europe-wide market launch of the medicine, and it has already been launched in several European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland.

Robyn Hughes, Brands Director at Teva UK Limited, said: "This is an important milestone for Teva and demonstrates our commitment to making a difference to the lives of those with cancer, and bringing another treatment option to market for this group of patients."

Dr Ewan Walters, Teva UK Limited Medical Director, commented: "Effective prevention and treatment of febrile neutropenia is an important consideration for clinicians managing cancer patients who are undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy.  As well as targeting cancer cells, chemotherapy affects rapidly-dividing bone marrow cells, thereby dramatically reducing a patient's ability to fight off infection, with potentially serious consequences.  This approval is testament to Teva's commitment to bringing new and alternative treatments to market to support clinicians in caring for patients."

1. Lonquex^® (lipegfilgrastim) Summary of Product Characteristics (Aug 2013)

To find out more about Teva UK Limited, visit http://www.tevauk.com.

Notes to Editors:

About Teva UK Limited

Teva UK Limited is one of the UK's top ten pharmaceutical manufacturers, with a presence in the generics, branded respiratory and hospitals markets. It has the widest range of any UK generic pharmaceutical company and markets solid and liquid dose, injectable and respiratory medicines to healthcare professionals. The company is part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries. Teva's Specialty Medicines businesses focus on CNS, respiratory oncology, pain, and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 45,000 people around the world and reached $20.3 billion in net revenues in 2013.