Sandoz launches new OMNITROPE growth hormone concentration in Egypt
The company stated that the newly available concentration aims to help expand access to growth hormone, noting that an estimated 17% of Egyptian children suffer from short stature. Research conducted at Suez Canal University's endocrinology outpatient clinic, released in 2024, indicated that growth hormone treatment significantly improves physical, social, psychological, and environmental quality of life.
Dr. Mona Salem, Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at Ain Shams University and President of the Egyptian Society of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, said: 'In children and adolescents, growth hormone is used to treat growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone, associated with Turner syndrome, with chronic renal insufficiency, in short children/adolescents born small for gestational age, or associated with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The biosynthetic/synthetic hormone is indicated for the treatment of children with growth failure due to inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone (GH).'
Dr. Salem added, 'Short stature is diagnosed in children or adolescents who are well below the average height for their age and gender, which may be due to genetic factors or underlying health conditions. Studies show that short stature prevalence varies geographically, with a genetic predisposition, as well as nutritional and environmental factors, playing an important role.'
A cross-sectional study conducted between January 2018 and January 2020 involving 33,150 Egyptian children aged 6 to 11 showed that 17% of the sample had short stature, with 40.8% attributed to familial factors and 24.2% to constitutional causes.
Dr. Rasha Tarif, Head of the Paediatric Endocrinology Unit at Ain Shams University and Chair of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Education and Training Committee, stated: 'As noted, short stature affects children and adolescents, not only physically but also psychologically. Growth hormone is one of the most effective treatments for the aforementioned growth disturbances. The dosage is carefully calculated based on weight, underlying cause, puberty stage, as well as stimulated growth hormone test results, to achieve the best possible final height outcomes.'
Dr. Tarif emphasised that young patients require therapeutic intervention before growth plates fuse, after which height cannot be gained. She added, 'Growth hormone plays a critical role in effective treatment plans, but ensuring its availability has been a challenge in recent years. This challenge is being addressed through ongoing efforts to secure sufficient quantities to ensure uninterrupted treatment until puberty is complete, and in some cases, for life. Treatment continuity, along with proper follow-up with a specialized physician, is essential for achieving optimal results.'
Sandoz said the new concentration is being made available at an affordable cost, expanding treatment options and aiming for better patient response and an effective, safe treatment journey by minimising interruptions. The company stated that securing the reliable availability of this human growth hormone reinforces medical efforts to provide comprehensive care.
Sameh Elbagoury, Sandoz Egypt Country Head, said: 'The Egyptian government, within the context of the Egypt Vision 2030, has shown strong commitment to reducing the prevalence of short stature among children, aiming to improve public health for current and future generations, and help build a healthier, more productive workforce, in line with the national vision for sustainable development.'
Elbagoury added: 'Our top priority at Sandoz is to develop affordable biosimilars for high-quality biologics and ensure that as many patients as possible have access to them. Introducing the 15mg concentration of our well-established Omnitrope growth hormone allows us to help local authorities meet the increase in demand for growth hormones, reflecting the positive impact and notable success achieved by the Presidential Initiative for the Early Detection of Anaemia, Obesity and Short Stature.'
Sandoz Omnitrope received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2006, with subsequent approvals in other countries. Sandoz has also established a long-term, post-marketing surveillance programme for the product.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism
Egyptian military aircraft have airdropped humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row, as fears mount of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe driven by famine. On Tuesday, Egyptian planes targeted central Gaza, focusing on the city of Deir al-Balah, which shelters over 150,000 displaced Palestinians. At the same time, Saudi relief efforts continued on the ground. On Wednesday, seven more trucks crossed through the Rafah crossing carrying food aid from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the total volume of Saudi aid delivered to Gaza has now reached 7,188 tonnes, including 20 ambulances. However, the Central Emergency Committee in Gaza voiced frustration over official Egyptian claims about aid volumes, arguing that the reported daily entry of hundreds of trucks does not reflect the actual situation observed by local authorities. The committee called for the immediate, unconditional reopening of the Rafah crossing and denounced the 'complicated and humiliating coordination process' that continues to block the entry of vital medical supplies and fuel. In parallel, Belgium announced it will join the international airdrop initiative coordinated by Jordan, sending a plane with medical and food supplies valued at around €600,000 (approximately $690,000). The aircraft will remain stationed in Jordan, ready for coordinated deliveries into Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health reported seven more deaths from famine within the past 24 hours, raising the total famine-related death toll to 154, including 89 children. The territory remains under a severe blockade, with limited and sporadic humanitarian access. On the military front, Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli military position in Khan Younis with three 'barrel bombs,' stating the attack caused casualties among Israeli troops. Inside Israel, the conflict's toll on soldiers has become increasingly visible: Haaretz reported a sharp increase in suicides among Israeli soldiers and officers, with 24 taking their own lives in 2024, seven of them since the start of the war on Gaza. The newspaper cited a shortage of mental health professionals and inadequate psychological support as contributing factors. Controversy also erupted in Israel after Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu suggested reclassifying Israeli hostages held in Gaza as 'prisoners of war' and postponing efforts to secure their release until Israel achieves military victory. His remarks provoked strong backlash from the public and relatives of the captives. Separately, Morocco's Foreign Ministry announced that King Mohammed VI had formally requested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow Moroccan humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via Israel's Ben Gurion Airport and then through the Kerem Shalom crossing. At the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank appears aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians. The UN called on Israel to halt violence, discriminatory practices, and its continued occupation of Palestinian territories, reiterating that all settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, meanwhile, expressed deep concern over US sanctions imposed on her for her outspoken criticism of the war in Gaza. Speaking from Rome to the Associated Press, Albanese described the sanctions as 'a dangerous development' that could hinder her work. On the diplomatic front, more than 20 countries attending the International Conference on the Two-State Solution in New York issued a joint statement reaffirming their vision for a peaceful resolution. Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and supported by Egypt, the EU, and others, the statement underscored the need for a viable Palestinian state. Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that his country will officially recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session, following similar announcements by Britain and France.
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Boehringer Ingelheim partners with General Organization of Veterinary Services to ‘Stop Rabies' in Egypt
In a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, the General Organization of Veterinary Services (GOVS) and Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance efforts to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies. This partnership aims to address public health risks associated with rabies in Egypt. The signing of this agreement reflects a shared commitment across government and institutional stakeholder to protect the health of Egyptian citizens and maintain environmental and public health balance throughout the country. Egypt has made progress in combating zoonotic diseases through vaccination campaigns, awareness efforts, and the expansion of cooperation protocols with partners from the private sector and civil society. The GOVS, emphasizes the importance of cross-sector partnerships, which combine scientific and practical expertise with logistical and administrative support to achieve effective and sustainable results in reducing the spread of rabies—particularly in rural areas and regions with high animal density. Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that attacks the central nervous system and is fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Transmitted primarily through dog bites, it remains a preventable yet deadly global threat, causing around 59,000 human deaths worldwide each year. The agreement, signed on July 22 at the GOVS headquarters in Ismailia, marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing threat of rabies on the Egyptian community. The MoU was signed by Dr. Hamed Moussa Al-Aqnas, Chairman of the General Organization for Veterinary Services and Mahmoud El Mahdy, Country Head of Animal Health for North, East, and West Africa at Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Hamed Moussa Al-Aqnas, Chairman of the General Organization for Veterinary Services said: 'Rabies remains one of the most serious public health threats, despite being preventable. At GOVs, we are committed to promoting the health and well-being of animals in Egypt, while also safeguarding human health from animal-related diseases. Through stronger cross-sector collaboration and by aligning with the global strategy to eliminate rabies by 2030, we aim to advance Egypt's national response and deliver sustainable impact. ' 'Public engagement is a key component in rabies elimination efforts. We aim to increase the community's understanding of how rabies is transmitted and the serious risks it poses, with a particular focus on protecting our youth who are among the most vulnerable and often come into contact with stray dogs during play. In parallel, we are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership by emphasizing the importance of vaccinating domestic dogs to safeguard both their owners and the wider community,' added Dr. Moussa. Following the agreement, GOVS and Boehringer Ingelheim will be the primary drivers of the 'Elimination of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies', an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MoALR). The two parties will collaborate to conduct comprehensive vaccination campaigns targeting stray dogs against rabies across Egypt, starting in Ismailia. 'Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, rabies continues to be a global threat and is responsible for the death of thousands of people every year, with a large proportion of victims being children. As a global leader in rabies prevention, we have the expertise and tools needed to support rabies elimination efforts and help protect communities from dog-mediated rabies. However, our impact is greatly amplified through strategic public partnerships that empower us to drive greater change. We look forward to working closely with the General Organization of Veterinary Services to address the threat of rabies in Egypt and help safeguard both children and adults from this devastating disease, contributing to a healthier and safer environment for both humans and dogs,' said Mahmoud El Mahdy, Country Head of Animal Health for North, East, and West Africa at Boehringer Ingelheim. In addition to conducting rabies vaccination campaigns, the agreement includes raising awareness about rabies, its dangers, and the importance of prevention. This will be achieved through various mediums, including local community events and educational programs in academic settings. The partnership is part of Boehringer Ingelheim's global 'Stop Rabies' initiative, which aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies through a holistic approach focused on vaccination, education, and surveillance. With a commitment to providing 500 million vaccine doses and educating 15 million children by 2038, the company is working closely with governments, NGOs, veterinarians, and communities to address the disease at its source. In Egypt, this partnership with GOVS marks a critical step toward that global goal, starting in Ismailia and aiming to create long-term, community-driven impact. Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at Boehringer Ingelheim – Life Forward | Boehringer Ingelheim .
Egypt Independent
4 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Renowned Egyptian actor Lotfy Labib passes away at 77
Veteran Egyptian actor Lotfy Labib passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 77. His health had rapidly deteriorated after he suffered a severe laryngeal hemorrhage due to pneumonia. The late actor had recently clarified his prolonged absence, emphasizing that he wasn't on a voluntary break but rather facing a reality imposed by his health conditions. 'I'm not on vacation… I've had a brain clot for seven years now, and in the past eight years, I might have worked one day a year. I think that's called retirement,' he had stated. Labib had been hospitalized days prior and was moved to the intensive care unit due to severe inflammation in his larynx and lungs, which completely prevented him from speaking. This further worsened his condition. Fans had been anxiously awaiting his recovery and his customary reassurances. Director Mohamed Al Deeb, Labib's business manager, announced the date and location of the funeral: 'The funeral will be tomorrow at noon from St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Heliopolis.'
