Novozymes separates its biopharma activities to form independent company
The new stand-alone company Albumedix will continue to develop albumin-based products and technologies for the pharmaceutical industry.
Novozymes has separated its biopharma activities into an independent company called Albumedix. The new company will be fully owned by Novozymes.
“Over the past 9 years, our work in albumin has resulted in a series of new discoveries and technologies, which have led to agreements with major pharmaceutical and biotech companies,” says Thomas Videbæk, Executive Vice President for Business Development at Novozymes. “The business is in good shape with great prospects to make a real difference for patients all over the world. We believe it is now ready to be developed further outside Novozymes, where it will have the best possible growth conditions.”
Albumedix to accelerate Veltis for half-life extension. Albumedix will continue to develop its market leading position within recombinant albumin-based products and technologies.
Named Recombumin, Albumedix’s recombinant albumins are used in the pharmaceutical industry to stabilize drugs and vaccines. For example, since 2006, Merck has used Albumedix’s solutions to produce two vaccines used to treat millions of children worldwide against measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox.
Albumin can also be used to extend the half-life of pharmaceuticals to prolong the drugs’ effect and Albumedix offers a first and second generation version of this drug delivery technology under the name Veltis. In 2014, Veltis got its commercial breakthrough when GlaxoSmithKline launched a diabetes drug that utilizes the technology, allowing patients to dose weekly instead of daily. Today, Albumedix has a growing pipeline of partner-driven drug candidates evaluating Veltis.
In addition to providing albumin-based solutions to the pharmaceutical industry, Albumedix will initiate the exploration of early stage clinical drug development based on its Veltis technology and relevant drug candidates.
Albumedix will be led by CEO Peter Rosholm, who previously headed Novozymes’ Biopharma business. The leadership team will report to an independent board consisting of three directors from the pharmaceutical industry and two representatives from Novozymes.
The Chairman of the Board, Don deBethizy, brings more than 15 years of experience in managing and financing life science related technologies, and has played a key role in building and advising several life science companies.
“I see a promising future for Albumedix, and together with Don deBethizy and the rest of the team I look forward to expanding our role in the pharmaceutical industry. With our heritage, expertise in albumin, and skilled employees, we have a strong foundation for developing superior biotherapeutics for patients,” says Peter Rosholm.
Albumedix will be headquartered in Lyngby, Denmark, with R&D and production facilities in Nottingham, UK. The company will employ approximately 100 people.
Novozymes retains full ownership of Albumedix and the newly created company’s financial results will continue to be consolidated into Novozymes’ reporting. The formation of Albumedix is not expected to impact Novozymes’ financial results for 2016.
Related News
-
News Pharmapack Awards 2024 Patient-Centric Design Award Winner – Dr Ferrer BioPharma
The 2024 Pharmapack Awards celebrated the best in innovation and design for the pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery industry on January 24, 2024. -
News Women in Pharma: Minding the Gap at Pharmapack 2024
2024 marks the first year Pharmapack will host a Diversity track dedicated to bridging the gap within the pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery sector. The track includes a panel discussion on 'Enabling Diversity in the Workplace,' focused... -
News Pharmapack Awards 2024 - Celebrating Packaging and Drug Delivery Innovation
The 2024 Pharmapack Innovation Awards ceremony celebrated the best in pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery innovation at all levels. The awards were held on January 24, 2024 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. -
News 2024 Pharma Industry Trends Outlook: Collaboration, Market Maturity, and Digital Futures
The annual CPHI Online 2024 Pharma Trends Outlook, in partnership with Arvato Systems, identifies 12 key industry trends shaping the life sciences industry in the coming year. -
News New Novo Nordisk AI hub for drug discovery to open in London, UK
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk will be opening an AI-based research facility in the heart of London to advance drug discovery operations. -
News BioNTech to begin mRNA vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda by 2025
German biotechnology company BioNTech has stated their intentions to begin production at their mRNA vaccine factory in Rwanda by 2025, which will mark the first foreign mRNA vaccine manufacturing site on the continent of Africa. -
News Women in Pharma: Looking back on 2023 and moving forward to 2024
In this monthly series, we interview women from across the pharmaceutical industry and supply chain to discuss the importance of gender diversity in healthcare, the workplace, and beyond. -
News CPHI Barcelona 2023: Partnering for Success – Managing Outsourcing Relationships to Optimise Manufacturing Operations
During CPHI Barcelona 2023, insightful content sessions offered attendees the chance to explore trending topics with expert speakers and panellists. Here, we summarise what the pharma industry and supply chain are talking about the most.
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance