Conclusion of an agreement on the industrial development and manufacturing of the anti-VEGF protein – a generic to Lucentis – for clinical trials
Celon Pharma S.A. concluded an agreement with Biotechpharma on industrial development of the anti-VEGF protein - a generic to Lucentis (ranibizumab) in line with GMP for the purpose of clinical trials.
The positive results of the work we carried out so far as well as over PLN 24 million of co-funding from the National Centre for Research and Development which we received last year for the development of this project, resulted in our decision to commence the next stage of the project assuming industrial development and manufacturing of the drug for the purpose of clinical trials. The value of the agreement concluded with Biotechpharma amounts to EUR 2-3 million, depending on the number of batches manufactured by this entity. Maciej Wieczorek, PhD, President of the Board of Celon Pharma S.A.:
The anti-VEGF biotech drug developed by the Company will be used i.a. in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME), retinal vein occlusion [central (CRVO) or branch (BRVO)].
The plans anticipates that the product will be marketed in the years 2021-2022, i.e. after basic Lucentis patents have expired. Anti-VEGF antibodies are characterised by high efficacy and the value of their global market in treatment of eye disorders exceeds ER 7 billion, whereas Lucentis has a nearly 50% market share.