On June 8, the Society of Investment Professionals in Germany (DVFA) and its Life Science Committee hosted its annual conference which this time focused on biosimilars. The event covered key scientific topics, regulatory pathways and commercial issues of the market.

While experts agreed that the US will soon follow the EU in establishing a regulatory pathway for filing and approval of biosimilars – with a few originator companies still taking rearguard actions – it is not yet evident whether biosimilars will conquer the markets simply because of lower prices. In many EU countries, there will be no automatic substitution as with small molecule generics so that doctors need to be convinced to prescribe a particular “branded” biosimilar.  » Read more...

MediGene AG has signed a license and supply agreement with Meditrina Pharmaceuticals for the supply and commercialization of Veregen® in Greece and Cyprus. Meditrina will promote and distribute Veregen® for the treatment of genital warts in both territories. Upon the achievement of specific milestones, MediGene will be entitled to successive payments totaling up to 900 thousand euros, and will receive the first milestone payment upon the initiation of the approval procedure in Greece. In addition, MediGene will supply Meditrina with finished product and will receive double-digit royalties on net sales. MediGene believes that Greece is the sixth largest potential European market for Veregen® sales volume.  » Read more...

- Former CSO Dr. Uwe Marx leaves for academia –

ProBioGen AG, a leading biotechnology company in cell engineering and production of biopharmaceuticals, today announced that Dr. Volker Sandig has been appointed to Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of the company. He will take over the duties of Dr. Uwe Marx, who will take an opportunity to lead an entrepreneurial innovation team at the Technical University Berlin.  » Read more...