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23.02.2016 08:00:06
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DGAP-News: Formycon AG
DGAP-News: Formycon AG: Formycon and bioeq enroll first patient in pivotal phase III study with biosimilar ranibizumab (FYB201)
- COLUMBUS-AMD study investigates the comparability of FYB201, an investigational biosimilar ranibizumab, and Lucentis(R)* in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) - Study involves 650 participants in around 80 clinical centers worldwide - Partners Formycon and bioeq significantly advance in the development of FYB201
Munich - Formycon AG, Munich, and bioeq GmbH, Holzkirchen, today announced that they have enrolled the first patient in their clinical Phase III study involving FYB201, Formycon's biosimilar version of Lucentis(R). The objective of the study is to demonstrate the comparability of FYB201 and Lucentis(R) in terms of safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This condition, known as wet AMD, is one of the primary causes of loss of vision in people over the age of 60 in developed countries. It is estimated that as many as 7.5 million people worldwide suffer from wet AMD. Germany alone has around 450,000 patients with the condition.
Lucentis* is a leading drug for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. It inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina, which leads to a progressive loss of vision. The total market volume for intraocular anti-VEGF treatments in 2015 was around US$ 7.5 billion, and is growing rapidly.
Dr. Björn Capsius, Director Clinical Development at Formycon, said: "We are delighted that, after intensive preparations, our study has now started to enroll its first patient. It is a major step forward in the development of our biosimilar and we will gain important data supporting the regulatory approval in the EU and US."
Dr. Joachim Kiefer, Head of Clinical Development at bioeq, added: "The active ingredient ranibizumab is an effective and proven therapy for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. By developing a high-quality and cost-effective biosimilar, we want to give as many patients as possible the opportunity to access this treatment option. This not only helps improve patient care, but also helps to reduce healthcare costs."
At the end of 2013, Formycon licensed FYB201 exclusively to Santo Holding GmbH, Holzkirchen. bioeq GmbH, a subsidiary of Santo Holding GmbH, is the sponsor of the Phase III study and is also responsible for the global marketing and licensing of FYB201.
* Lucentis is a registered trademark of Genentech Inc.
About Formycon: Formycon is a leading independent pure play developer of biosimilars and has become a recognized innovator in this field. The company has extensive experience in the development of complex biological molecules. Formycon's specialist expertise allows the company to develop high-quality biosimilars that meet the strict regulatory requirements of highly regulated markets such as Europe and the United States. Formycon currently has three biosimilars under development, with further product candidates already identified. Two biosimilar candidates have been licensed out to Santo Holding GmbH.
About bioeq: bioeq GmbH was established in March 2014 and is funded by the Strüngmann Group (Santo Holding) and by Polpharma, a leading Polish pharmaceutical company. bioeq is active in the development of biosimilars in compliance with standards required for approval and distribution in the EU, US and other highly regulated markets. Starting from early stage development projects licensed from internationally renowned partners or cell lines stemming from affiliated companies, bioeq conducts development programs up to clinical development and registration. bioeq's pipeline comprises several of the so-called "third wave" biosimilars, for which patent protection is due to expire within the next decade. bioeq's management team combines expert scientists and senior management with a skill set spanning from early stage development through to commercialization of complex molecules and biosimilars.
About biosimilars: Since their introduction in the 1980s, biopharmaceuticals have revolutionized the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In the coming years, many of these biotech drugs will lose their patent protection - and by 2020, medications with revenues of more than USD 100 billion will be off patent. Biosimilars are follow-on versions of biopharmaceuticals, for which exclusivity has expired. They are approved via stringent regulatory pathways in highly regulated markets (such as EU, US, Japan, Canada, Australia) based on proven similarity of the biosimilar with the originator biopharmaceutical reference product. While the global market for biosimilars is currently some USD 2.5 billion, industry experts expect this figure to grow tenfold by the year 2020. In contrast to traditional generic drugs, the development and production of biosimilars is highly complex and requires specialized expertise.
Contact: Thorsten Schüller Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Formycon AG Fraunhoferstr. 15 82152 Martinsried/Planegg/Germany phone +49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 150 fax + 49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 110 Thorsten.schueller@formycon.com // www.formycon.com
Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information which are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, performance of the company, development of the products and the estimates given here. Such known and unknown risks and uncertainties comprise, among others, the research and development, the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality, patient safety and patent litigation. With respect to pipeline products, Formycon AG does not provide any representation, warranties or any other guarantees that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially exploitable and/or successful. Formycon AG assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments which differ from those anticipated.
This document neither constitutes an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of Formycon AG. No public offering of securities of Formycon AG will be made nor is a public offering intended.
This document and the information contained therein may not be distributed in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdictions, in which such offer or such solicitation would be prohibited. This document does not constitute an offer for the sale of securities in the United States.
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23.02.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English Company: Formycon AG Fraunhoferstraße 15 82152 Planegg-Martinsried Germany Phone: 089 864667 100 Fax: 089 864667 110 Internet: www.formycon.com ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8 WKN: A1EWVY Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin; Open Market (Entry Standard) in Frankfurt End of News DGAP News Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
439205 23.02.2016
DGAP-News: Formycon AG / Key word(s): Research Update/Study
Formycon AG: Formycon and bioeq enroll first patient in pivotal phase III
study with biosimilar ranibizumab (FYB201)
23.02.2016 / 08:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Press release // February 23, 2016
Formycon and bioeq enroll first patient in pivotal phase III study with
biosimilar ranibizumab (FYB201)
- COLUMBUS-AMD study investigates the comparability of FYB201, an investigational biosimilar ranibizumab, and Lucentis(R)* in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) - Study involves 650 participants in around 80 clinical centers worldwide - Partners Formycon and bioeq significantly advance in the development of FYB201
Munich - Formycon AG, Munich, and bioeq GmbH, Holzkirchen, today announced that they have enrolled the first patient in their clinical Phase III study involving FYB201, Formycon's biosimilar version of Lucentis(R). The objective of the study is to demonstrate the comparability of FYB201 and Lucentis(R) in terms of safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This condition, known as wet AMD, is one of the primary causes of loss of vision in people over the age of 60 in developed countries. It is estimated that as many as 7.5 million people worldwide suffer from wet AMD. Germany alone has around 450,000 patients with the condition.
Lucentis* is a leading drug for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. It inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina, which leads to a progressive loss of vision. The total market volume for intraocular anti-VEGF treatments in 2015 was around US$ 7.5 billion, and is growing rapidly.
Dr. Björn Capsius, Director Clinical Development at Formycon, said: "We are delighted that, after intensive preparations, our study has now started to enroll its first patient. It is a major step forward in the development of our biosimilar and we will gain important data supporting the regulatory approval in the EU and US."
Dr. Joachim Kiefer, Head of Clinical Development at bioeq, added: "The active ingredient ranibizumab is an effective and proven therapy for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. By developing a high-quality and cost-effective biosimilar, we want to give as many patients as possible the opportunity to access this treatment option. This not only helps improve patient care, but also helps to reduce healthcare costs."
At the end of 2013, Formycon licensed FYB201 exclusively to Santo Holding GmbH, Holzkirchen. bioeq GmbH, a subsidiary of Santo Holding GmbH, is the sponsor of the Phase III study and is also responsible for the global marketing and licensing of FYB201.
* Lucentis is a registered trademark of Genentech Inc.
About Formycon: Formycon is a leading independent pure play developer of biosimilars and has become a recognized innovator in this field. The company has extensive experience in the development of complex biological molecules. Formycon's specialist expertise allows the company to develop high-quality biosimilars that meet the strict regulatory requirements of highly regulated markets such as Europe and the United States. Formycon currently has three biosimilars under development, with further product candidates already identified. Two biosimilar candidates have been licensed out to Santo Holding GmbH.
About bioeq: bioeq GmbH was established in March 2014 and is funded by the Strüngmann Group (Santo Holding) and by Polpharma, a leading Polish pharmaceutical company. bioeq is active in the development of biosimilars in compliance with standards required for approval and distribution in the EU, US and other highly regulated markets. Starting from early stage development projects licensed from internationally renowned partners or cell lines stemming from affiliated companies, bioeq conducts development programs up to clinical development and registration. bioeq's pipeline comprises several of the so-called "third wave" biosimilars, for which patent protection is due to expire within the next decade. bioeq's management team combines expert scientists and senior management with a skill set spanning from early stage development through to commercialization of complex molecules and biosimilars.
About biosimilars: Since their introduction in the 1980s, biopharmaceuticals have revolutionized the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In the coming years, many of these biotech drugs will lose their patent protection - and by 2020, medications with revenues of more than USD 100 billion will be off patent. Biosimilars are follow-on versions of biopharmaceuticals, for which exclusivity has expired. They are approved via stringent regulatory pathways in highly regulated markets (such as EU, US, Japan, Canada, Australia) based on proven similarity of the biosimilar with the originator biopharmaceutical reference product. While the global market for biosimilars is currently some USD 2.5 billion, industry experts expect this figure to grow tenfold by the year 2020. In contrast to traditional generic drugs, the development and production of biosimilars is highly complex and requires specialized expertise.
Contact: Thorsten Schüller Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Formycon AG Fraunhoferstr. 15 82152 Martinsried/Planegg/Germany phone +49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 150 fax + 49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 110 Thorsten.schueller@formycon.com // www.formycon.com
Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information which are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, performance of the company, development of the products and the estimates given here. Such known and unknown risks and uncertainties comprise, among others, the research and development, the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality, patient safety and patent litigation. With respect to pipeline products, Formycon AG does not provide any representation, warranties or any other guarantees that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially exploitable and/or successful. Formycon AG assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments which differ from those anticipated.
This document neither constitutes an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of Formycon AG. No public offering of securities of Formycon AG will be made nor is a public offering intended.
This document and the information contained therein may not be distributed in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdictions, in which such offer or such solicitation would be prohibited. This document does not constitute an offer for the sale of securities in the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.02.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English Company: Formycon AG Fraunhoferstraße 15 82152 Planegg-Martinsried Germany Phone: 089 864667 100 Fax: 089 864667 110 Internet: www.formycon.com ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8 WKN: A1EWVY Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin; Open Market (Entry Standard) in Frankfurt End of News DGAP News Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
439205 23.02.2016
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