Sagent launches generic cefazolin injection

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held US specialty pharmaceutical company has launched cefazolin for injection, USP, an essential antibiotic used to treat serious infections, on its domestic market. Sagent's product - which is the generic equivalent of GlaxoSmithKline's Ancef - will be available in 1g single dose vials and 10g pharmacy bulk package vials. According to IMS Health data, sales of cefazolin in the USA in 2006 were approximately $69.0 million.

This marks the second product launch in three months from Sagent's pipeline of more than 200 products. The launch of Cefazolin for injection follows the December 2007 introduction of the first full-line of latex-free, multi-source prefilled, ready-to-use, 6mg and 12mg, adenosine syringes in the market. Sagent says it will begin marketing and shipping cefazolin immediately.

"The launch of Cefazolin, the first product to emerge from our extensive anti-infective pipeline, marks further progress toward Sagent's ultimate goal of becoming a leader in the injectables marketplace," said Jeffrey Yordon, chief executive of Sagent.