November 08, 2004
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS AND NOVOZYMES TO DEVELOP BIOTECH TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC EXOCRINE INSUFFICIENCY
A NEW GENERATION OF PRODUCTS TO EXPAND PANCREATIC ENZYMES FRANCHISE
Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Novozymes announce today that they have signed an agreement for the joint development of a new biotechnologically engineered microbial enzyme line tailored to treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). Goal of the cooperation is to launch a variety of new generation digestive enzymes from a microbial source, in addition to Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ existing franchise.
The lipase, protease and amylase under development should show an efficacy comparable to that of pancreatic enzymes. Development is in early stages, with the first toxicology studies under preparation, to be followed by clinical phase I and II studies. The first clinical data are expected in 2005.
Solvay has expertise in pancreatic enzymes with CREON®, which is the most prescribed pancreatic enzyme preparation in the world. CREON® helps patients to digest food better and helps patients suffering from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, e.g. cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic pancreatitis or after pancreatic surgery.
Prof. Siegfried Schaefer, Head of Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ Marketed Product Support, is very enthusiastic about this collaboration: “This is a perfect opportunity for us to develop a new biotechnologically engineered digestive enzyme based on microbial sources, optimizing digestion for patients that suffer from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and helps to individualize the treatment of PEI further.”
NOVOZYMES is world leader in enzyme solutions and sells more than 500 enzyme products in 130 countries. Enzymes are proteins that have catalytic functions indispensable to maintenance and activity of life. All chemical reactions occurring in a living organism are dependent on the catalytic actions of enzymes.
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS is the pharmaceuticals business arm of SOLVAY. It is a research driven pharmaceutical company that seeks to fulfill carefully selected, unmet medical needs in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, mental health and gynecology/andrology. SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS employs more than 7500 people worldwide. For more information, visit solvaypharmaceuticals.com.
SOLVAY is an international chemicals and pharmaceuticals group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 30000 people in 50 countries. In 2003 consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.6 billion generated by its three activity sectors: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. SOLVAY is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.
For further information please contact :
Martial Tardy , Corporate Press OfficerSOLVAY S.A.
Tel: 32 2 509 72 30
Fax: 32 2 509 72 40
E-mail : martial.tardy@solvay.com Puck Bossert,
Solvay Pharmaceuticals
Tel: +31 294 47 74 69