Sandoz enters new era as standalone global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines

• Spin-off from Novartis successfully completed with first trading day today on SIX Swiss Exchange; Sandoz shares included in key market indices
• Standalone Sandoz committed to extend leadership in stable and growing market via purpose-driven strategy with focus on sustainable access
• Differentiating investment grade credit profile and six strategic levers to drive long-term value
• Sandoz has been present in Canada since 2005 and employs over 250 employees

BOUCHERVILLE, QC, Oct. 4, 2023 /CNW/ - Sandoz, the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, today celebrates the start of share trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange as an independent company.

The new company is included in key SIX market indices and has an investment-grade credit rating that gives it a strong competitive position. It is well placed for continued profitable growth as a standalone global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines.

The opening bell-ringing ceremony at SIX headquarters this morning marks the successful completion of the 100% spin-off from former parent company Novartis and the start of trading in Sandoz Group AG shares. The shares are listed on the Swiss Performance Index (SPI®), the Swiss Leader Index (SLI®) and other relevant Swiss indices; Sandoz ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) will also be traded as of today on the US OTCQX®.

Sandoz Board Chairman Gilbert Ghostine says: “Today marks the dawn of a new era for Sandoz as an independent company, but our Purpose is unchanged: pioneering access for patients. It’s what we do best, have always done best, and will always do best: making quality medicines available to more people, in more places, in more and novel ways.”

The Sandoz Purpose and brand are deeply rooted in its scientific heritage and legacy of medical firsts since the foundation of chemical pioneer Kern & Sandoz back in 1886: from the development of Calcium Sandoz in 1929, via the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, to the launch of the world’s first biosimilar in 2006.

As outlined at the Sandoz Capital Markets Day in June, six strategic levers should drive long-term value: attractive market fundamentals, leadership and scale, multiple growth drivers, margin improvement, accelerated cash generation, and a compelling sustainability story.

CEO Richard Saynor says: “As an independent company, Sandoz will be fully enabled to deliver on its purpose-driven strategy, which targets sustainable leadership in the growing and critical generics and biosimilars industry.”

“We already actively pioneer access for patients by shaping the global healthcare environment. We strengthen healthcare systems worldwide by delivering over USD 17 billion in annual savings in Europe and the US alone and we reach some 500 million patients a year in over 100 countries. In doing so, we generate a total social impact estimated to be USD 180 billion annually. And we intend to make an even greater impact going forward.”

Generics and biosimilars account for an estimated 80% of medicines used worldwide by volume, at about 25% of the total cost. Despite strong competitive pressures, the industry is set to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by underlying demand for these system-critical medicines.

Sandoz Canada President & General Manager Michel Robidoux says: “From today, Sandoz will be better able to meet the needs of the eight million patients we serve in Canada. Our refreshed brand reflects our enduring commitment to healthcare innovation and our dedication to meeting the global and local healthcare challenges head-on. As we continue working to drive access for Canadians, this evolution enables us to support a sustainable health system and remain a trusted partner for physicians, hospitals and pharmacies.”

The Sandoz listing prospectus and related documents can be found here: (www.sandoz.com/sandoz-spin).

This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. 22,000 people of more than 100 nationalities work together to bring Sandoz medicines to some 500 million patients worldwide, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger total social impact. Its leading portfolio of more than 1500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to the year 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, and the world’s first biosimilar in 2006. In 2022, Sandoz achieved sales of USD 9.1 billion and core EBITDA of USD 1.9 billion.

SOURCE Sandoz Canada