BIOPARTNERS GETS EU APPROVAL FOR VALTROPIN

Swiss biopharmaceuticals company Biopartners has received authorization to market its recombinant growth hormone Valtropin in the European Union (EU), the company reported.

It is only the second biosimilar product the European Commission (EC) has approved for marketing in the EU. The EC approved Sandoz' recombinant human growth hormone Omnitrope (somatropin recombinant) in April.

Valtropin (somatropin recombinant) is designed to treat Turner's Syndrome and human growth deficiency in children. Common symptoms of Turner's Syndrome -- which only affects girls -- include short stature and undeveloped ovaries.