Sandoz expands Omnitope offering in Egypt to combat childhood short stature

EGYPT—Sandoz, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, has introduced a new 15 mg/1.5 ml concentration of its OMNITROPE biosimilar growth hormone in Egypt to treat short stature in children.

This launch supports Egypt’s Vision 2030 and aligns with the country’s healthcare goals to improve public health outcomes.

The new OMNITROPE concentration aims to increase access to growth hormone treatments, addressing a significant health issue in Egypt where approximately 17% of children suffer from short stature.

 Research from Suez Canal University in 2024 showed that growth hormone therapy notably enhances the physical, social, psychological, and environmental quality of life for affected children.

Dr. Mona Salem, Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at Ain Shams University and President of the Egyptian Society of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, explained that growth hormone treatment is essential for children and adolescents with growth disturbances caused by insufficient hormone secretion.

These conditions include Turner syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency, children born small for gestational age, and Prader-Willi syndrome.

The biosynthetic hormone replaces the deficient natural hormone to promote growth.

Short stature is diagnosed when children or adolescents are significantly shorter than average for their age and gender, often due to genetic, nutritional, or environmental factors.

A large study involving over 33,000 Egyptian children aged 6 to 11 found that 17% had short stature, with familial and constitutional causes accounting for most cases.

Dr. Rasha Tarif, Head of Paediatric Endocrinology at Ain Shams University, emphasized that short stature impacts children not only physically but also psychologically.

 She noted that growth hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments, with dosages tailored to each patient’s weight, puberty stage, and hormone test results to maximize final height outcomes.

Early intervention is critical, as treatment must begin before growth plates close, after which height gain is no longer possible.

Ensuring continuous availability of growth hormone has been a challenge, but ongoing efforts aim to secure sufficient supplies for uninterrupted treatment, sometimes lifelong.

Sandoz is offering the new OMNITROPE concentration at an affordable price to broaden treatment options and improve patient outcomes by minimizing treatment interruptions.

This reliable supply supports comprehensive medical care for children with growth hormone deficiencies.

Sameh Elbagoury, Country Head of Sandoz Egypt, highlighted the Egyptian government’s commitment to reducing short stature prevalence as part of Vision 2030.

This initiative aims to improve public health and build a healthier, more productive workforce.

Elbagoury added that Sandoz prioritizes developing affordable biosimilars to increase patient access.

The introduction of the 15mg OMNITROPE concentration helps meet rising demand, reflecting the success of the Presidential Initiative for Early Detection of Anaemia, Obesity, and Short Stature.

OMNITROPE, a recombinant human growth hormone, was first approved by the US FDA and European Medicines Agency in 2006 and has since gained approval in multiple countries.

Sandoz also runs a long-term post-marketing surveillance program to ensure ongoing safety and effectiveness.

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