In collaboration with Novozymes (Denmark), Paras Biopharmaceuticals (Finland) has announced that the partnership will use the successful VELTIS® technology to develop an improved version of a leading osteoporosis treatment.
Paras Biopharmaceuticals has teamed up with Novozymes to generate a ‘once-a-week’ biobetter of Teriparatide, a leading treatment for a debilitating bone disease largely affecting women over the age of 50. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 200 million women worldwide by weakening bones and increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.
Paras Biopharmaceuticals has developed a highly efficient production technology platform for the biosimilar of Recombinant Teriparatide (Forteo Biosimilar). Extending the release of the base molecule (to once-a-week) by incorporating Novozymes’ VELTIS technology will offer new solutions. Already well-established in the fields of diabetes, hemophilia and neutropenia, the VELTIS platform is able to provide once-weekly, once bi-weekly or once-monthly peptide or protein dosing. As a result, VELTIS offers the potential for enhanced patient adherence and improved therapeutic impact.
“Collective strengths of Paras Biopharmaceuticals’ and Novozymes’ technical expertise will bring solutions and treatment options for further convenience of osteoporosis patients” says Dr Hans Söderlund, Director of Global Strategic Alliance at Paras Biopharmaceuticals Finland Oy. “Novozymes’ VELTIS technology and Paras Biopharmaceuticals’ Diabrid NobleCleav technology will create a superior osteoporosis medicine” adds Dr Ashesh Kumar, Director of Biologics and Licensing at Paras Biopharmaceuticals Finland Oy.
“This is further market validation of the Novozymes Biopharma’s VELTIS technology”, says Svend Licht, Director, Novozymes Biopharma. “The versatile capabilities of our solution are being continually demonstrated by our customers. We are happy to enable the development of this biobetter, this in addition to running numerous collaborations in life cycle management and new drug candidates”.
About Paras Biopharmaceuticals Finland Oy
Based in Oulu, Finland, Paras Biopharmaceuticals is an award winning, privately-held Finnish company focused on developing biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies for biosimilars and long therapeutic peptides. The company’s facilities (European GMP US-FDA compliant) in Finland are dedicated to the development, scale-up and GMP production of recombinant products for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders (diabetes) and oncology, in addition to high value recombinant enzymes such as Enterokinase (and other enzymes in pipeline). Paras Biopharmaceuticals has successfully developed its Diabrid Technology Platform (Diabrid® Technology, NobleCleav® Technolgy and Biomultifold® Microbial High Expression Technolgy) for the high level expression of biosimilars in specially designed genetically stable clones.
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions. Together with customers, partners and the global community, its aim is to improve industrial performance while preserving the planet’s resources and helping build better lives. As the world’s largest provider of enzyme and microbial technologies, its bioinnovation enables higher agricultural yields, low-temperature washing, energy-efficient production, renewable fuel and many other benefits that we rely on today and in the future. We call it Rethink Tomorrow.
About VELTIS
VELTIS is a clinically-proven technology based on engineered albumins delivered to allow the drug developer to optimize dose size and frequency to achieve stricter patient adherence (compliance) for improved therapeutic impact by targeting once weekly, once bi-weekly, or once monthly dosing.
VELTIS is delivered by Novozymes Biopharma and is provided with access to Novzymes extensive technical and regulatory support as well as to partner providers. The technology is well-established in the fields of diabetes, haemophilia and neutropenia by Novozymes’ customers.
Today, Novozymes Biopharma is working together with a number of pharma companies who are exploring the possibilities of VELTIS as a platform for half-life extension. These companies include CSL, EpiVaX while GlaxoSmithKline is using VELTIS in a marketed drug for treatment of diabetes.
Paras Biopharmaceuticals Finland Oy - www.parasbiopharma.com
Oulu, Finland
Dr Mark Jackson - mark.jackson@parasbiopharma.com
+358 442905993
Kiviharjunlenkki 2, Oulu, FI-90220, Finland