Singapore: The generics unit of Novartis, Sandoz, has launched a late-stage trial with its biosimilar version of Amgen's Enbrel. With this, Novartis has consolidated its leading position in developing cheaper copies of complex biotech drugs.

Sandoz currently has seven phase III clinical trials across five biosimilar molecules, including the start of the major study of its version of Enbrel or etanercept.

The company has said that the new trial aims to confirm the biosimilarity of its product versus Enbrel in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Results will be used to support US and European regulatory filings.