Formycon and Fresenius Kabi reach settlement agreement for ustekinumab biosimilar candidate FYB202 in Europe and Canada
Munich, Germany – Formycon AG (FSE: FYB) and its commercialization partner Fresenius Kabi today announced the signing of a settlement agreement with Johnson & Johnson concerning the commercialization of FYB202, a biosimilar to Stelara®1 (ustekinumab), in Europe and Canada. It was agreed to keep the terms of the agreement confidential.
Nicola Mikulcik, Chief Business Officer of Formycon AG, commented: “Achieving this settlement is testament to our strategic approach of ensuring we make early preparations to expand patient access to critical treatments. Our aim is to make a significant difference in patients’ lives by providing them with reliable, high-quality, and affordable treatment options. Following the settlement for the US, this is another important step that underlines the joint effort of Formycon and Fresenius Kabi, and it solidifies our position to make FYB202 accessible in key global markets.”
FYB202 is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the cytokines interleukin-12 and interleukin 23 and is used for the treatment of various severe immune-mediated disorders. Stelara® is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis as well as active psoriatic arthritis. The marketing authorization application for FYB202 was accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in September 2023 and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023. In February 2023, Formycon and Fresenius Kabi had entered into a global license agreement for the ustekinumab biosimilar candidate FYB202, under which FYB202 will be marketed by Fresenius Kabi in key global markets following successful approval.
1)Stelara® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson.
FYB201/Ranibizumab keeps gaining momentum with approvals and launches in the MENA region
- Commercialization partner MS Pharma wins government tender for Ranibizumab in Saudi Arabia
- Commercial launch of FYB201/Ravegza® planned for second quarter of 2024
- Further launches planned throughout 2024 to improve access to ophthalmic treatments in the MENA region
Munich, Germany/Amman, Jordan – Formycon AG (FSE: FYB) and MS Pharma announced today that FYB201, a biosimilar to Lucentis® (Ranibizumab), has received marketing authorization from the Saudi Food & Drug Authority. Following the successful market launch in Jordan last year and with winning the NUPCO tender in Saudi Arabia, FYB201 is expected to be available in another country in the MENA region from the second quarter of 2024. In addition, further market launches are planned in Algeria and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets over the course of 2024. In Saudi Arabia, MS Pharma will market the biosimilar under the trade name Ravegza®.
FYB201/Ravegza® was developed by Bioeq AG, a joint venture between Formycon AG and Polpharma Biologics Group BV. As a biosimilar to Lucentis®, FYB201 has already proven to be an important, cost-effective treatment option for patients with severe retinal diseases in the USA and large parts of Europe.
At the end of 2021, the company entered into an exclusive partnership with MS Pharma for the commercialization of FYB201 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This strategic collaboration aims to improve access to ophthalmic treatments in the MENA region.
Ravegza® is approved in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of patients with age-related neovascular (wet) macular degeneration (nAMD) and other serious eye diseases including retinopathies secondary to diabetes. In Saudi Arabia, millions of individuals grapple with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and its complications. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathies (DR) is approximately 19.7%[i], resulting from damage to blood vessels in the retina due to prolonged high blood sugar levels. Additionally, Diabetic Macular Oedema (DME) affects 5.7% of the population, leading to fluid accumulation in the macula, vision impairment and even blindness. By inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Ravegza® is indicated to treat nAMD and DME effective and cost-efficient.
“The successful approval of FYB201 in Saudi Arabia underlines the quality of our biosimilar and its importance as an affordable treatment option for DME, one of the most common causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in the middle east,” said Nicola Mikulcik, CBO of Formycon. “Our partner MS Pharma winning the important NUPCO tender in Saudi Arabia is an outstanding achievement, as it enables us to serve a significant part of the public healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia.”
Kalle Känd, CEO of MS Pharma, stated, “The approval of Ravegza® in Saudi Arabia represents a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing mission to improve patient health and expand our services providing high quality accessible medicines. Biosimilar and specialty medicines are integral to MS Pharma product portfolio and play a crucial role in advancing our growth objectives in the MENA region. We are very proud that we will be making a substantial contribution to public healthcare through the government tender awarded in Saudi Arabia. This approval supports the company’s commitment to the Saudi market and its broader strategic initiatives within the kingdom.”
[i] AlQahtani AS, Hazzazi MA, Waheeb SA, Semidey VA, Semidey VA, Elgendy HK, Alkhars WI, Abouammoh MA, Al-Dhibi H. Saudi Arabia Guidelines for diabetic macular edema: A consensus of the Saudi Retina Group. Saudi Med J. 2021 Feb;42(2):131-145. doi: 10.15537/smj.2021.2.25623. PMID: 33563731; PMCID: PMC7989293. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33563731/
Gedeon Richter becomes strategic investor of Formycon via equity investment
- Already established trustful collaboration in contract development and manufacturing results in investment through takeover of 9.08% of shares via cash capital increase
- Gross-proceeds in the amount of EUR 82.84 million to maintain Formycon’s high development pace and operational progress
- Transaction opens up possibility of jointly leveraging long-term strategic opportunities across development, manufacturing and commercial value streams
Munich, Germany/Budapest, Hungary – Formycon AG (FWB: FYB) (“Formycon”) today announced that Hungary based specialty pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter Plc. (“Gedeon Richter“) becomes strategic investor via cash capital increase from authorized capital in the amount of 9.08% of Formycon’s share capital.
Both companies are convinced of the huge potential of biosimilars and share the strategic proximity as well as the respective expertise in their fields of activity.
The clear focus of Formycon as a leading dedicated and independent developer of biosimilars and the operating radius of Gedeon Richter as a major multinational company with core competences in research and manufacturing, combine complementary strengths under the same vision as both companies are highly driven to improve patient’s access to important biologic therapies.
Based on the resolutions of Formycon’s Management Board and Supervisory Board, Gedeon Richter subscribed a cash capital increase of 9.08% in a private placement. The Company’s registered share capital will be increased by partially utilizing the authorized capital from currently EUR 16,053,025.00 by EUR 1,603,877.00 to EUR 17,656,902.00 by issuing 1,603,877 new no par-value bearer shares, each with a nominal value of EUR 1.00 of the share capital, against cash contribution. The placement price per new share is EUR 51.65 and represents the mean average value between today’s XETRA closing price and the volume-weighted average price of the shares over the last thirty trading days. Shareholders’ subscription rights for the new shares were excluded in accordance with § 4 (3) of the Articles of Association. Gedeon Richter will be subject to a customary lock-up obligation of 180 days.
The total inflow of funds amounts to EUR 82.84 million and will be used primarily for the further development of Formycon‘s existing biosimilar pipeline, especially FYB206, FYB208 and FYB209. In addition, the start of FYB210, a new biosimilar candidate, is planned for second half of this year.
“Robust supply and cost-competitive manufacturing are becoming increasingly important as a key component of the biosimilar value chain. Over the past few years, we have established a very trustful and successful operational cooperation with Gedeon Richter by utilizing their state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and I am very happy that we can enrich this partnership now even further. This transaction has the potential to generate strong momentum as it enables both parties to jointly leverage strategic long-term opportunities,” comments Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO of Formycon AG.
“From a financing perspective the cash funding secures the undamped simultaneous development of our competitive biosimilar candidates while adding a renowned collaboration partner as anchor investor who is clearly welcomed by our supervisory board and management board,” adds Enno Spillner, CFO of Formycon AG.
“The capital increase announced today serves to reinforce our strategic partnership with Formycon, with the aim of broadening patient access to biological therapies globally. Joining forces in this way will provide scale benefits and new business opportunities for both parties, while ensuring mission critical knowledge and experience transfer in a fast-evolving industry,” adds Gábor Orbán, CEO of Gedeon Richter Plc.
Formycon resolves on cash capital increase of EUR 82.84 million – all new shares were subscribed by Gedeon Richter as new strategic investor
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Formycon resolves on cash capital increase of EUR 82.84 million – all new shares were subscribed by Gedeon Richter as new strategic investor
Munich, 29 January 2024 – Today, the management board of Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) (“Company” or “Formycon”), with the consent of the Company’s supervisory board, resolved to increase the Company’s share capital against cash contributions by issuing new no par-value bearer shares of the Company (“New Shares”), partially utilizing the authorized capital and excluding the shareholders’ subscription rights (“Capital Increase”). Through the Capital Increase, the Company’s share capital will be increased from currently EUR 16,053,025.00 by EUR 1,603,877.00 to EUR 17,656,902.00 by issuing 1,603,877 new no par-value bearer shares with a notional value in the Company’s share capital of EUR 1.00 per share. The gross proceeds from the Capital Increase amount to approximately EUR 82.84 million.
All New Shares were subscribed by Gedeon Richter Plc. (“Gedeon Richter”), a Hungary based major multinational specialty pharmaceutical company with core competences in research and manufacturing, in a private placement under exclusion of the shareholders’ subscription rights at an issue price of EUR 51.65 per New Share representing the mean average value between today’s XETRA closing price and the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s shares over the last thirty trading days. Following the Capital Increase, Gedeon Richter will hold about 9.08% of the Company’s share capital and be subject to a customary lock-up obligation of 180 days.
The net proceeds from the Capital Increase will primarily be used for the further development of Formycon‘s existing biosimilar pipeline, especially its biosimilar candidates FYB206, FYB208 and FYB209. In addition, the start of FYB210, a new biosimilar candidate is planned for second half of this year.
Following the registration of the consummation of the Capital Increase with the commercial register, the New Shares will be included to trading on the “Scale” segment of the Regulated Unofficial Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Formycon Ranibizumab Biosimilar FYB201/CIMERLI® achieved a market share of 38% in the United States in December 2023
Munich, Germany – Formycon AG (FWB: FYB) today announced that its commercialization partner, Coherus BioSciences, Inc. has released new sales figures for CIMERLI®1 (Ranibizumab-eqrn) in the US. Accordingly, the number of CIMERLI® doses sold since its commercial launch in the US in October 2022 has increased to around 190,000 by the end of 2023. In October 2023, the number of doses sold was reported at 100,000. Thus, the amount almost doubled in the fourth quarter of 2023. According to Coherus, cumulative sales of CIMERLI® in the US totaled USD 125 million, exceeding original expectations by around 25%.2 Formycon benefits from net sales in the low double-digit million range, which are reflected partly in sales and partly in the at-equity result of the 50% participation in Bioeq AG.
CIMERLI® is the first FDA-approved Lucentis®3-biosimilar for both strengths. In December 2023, CIMERLI® achieved a market share of 38% by volume in the US Ranibizumab market4 and thereby continues to be the most successful biosimilar in this segment.
„We are extremely pleased with the successful uptake of our Lucentis® biosimilar in the US, which has continued to gain momentum from quarter to quarter. The figures are similarly positive in the UK, where FYB201 (trade name: Ongavia®5) achieved a market share of 69% in November 2023.6 This is confirmation of the outstanding quality of our biosimilar and the strong performance of our commercialization partners. With recent approvals in Canada, among others, and subsequent expected approvals and launches in Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, we see how this highly important treatment option in the field of ophthalmology reaches more and more markets and can contribute to the best possible care for patients,“ commented Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO of Formycon AG.
1)CIMERLI® is a registered Trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
2)Preliminary, unreviewed and unaudited financial information of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
3) Lucentis® is a registered Trademark of Genentech Inc
4) IQVIA WSP & NSP
5)Ongavia® is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
6)IQVIA Monthly Data
Formycon to present at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Munich, Germany – Formycon AG (FSE: FYB), a leading, independent developer of high-quality biosimilars, today announced that Formycon CEO Dr. Stefan Glombitza will present at the upcoming 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 09, 2024, at 8:15 a.m. PT (5:15 p.m. CET).
Investors, analysts, members of the media and the general public are invited to listen to the live audio webcast of the presentation and Q&A session via this weblink. Subsequently, the webcast will also be available as a replay for 30 days on the Formycon homepage in the Investor Webcast Section.
Members of the Formycon Management Team will be hosting one-on-one investor meetings in San Francisco during the JP Morgan week and participate in Meru Advisor’s corporate access event. We welcome the opportunity to connect in person. To request a meeting, please contact the Meru Advisors via this link.
Formycon announces EMA acceptance of the MAA for FYB203, a biosimilar candidate to Eylea® (Aflibercept)
Munich – Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) and its license partner Klinge Biopharma GmbH (“Klinge”) announce that the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) has accepted the marketing authorization application (“MAA”) for FYB203, a biosimilar candidate to Eylea®1 (Active Ingredient: Aflibercept), for review.
Aflibercept is used in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (“nAMD”) and other severe retinal diseases. Around 67 million people in Europe are affected by AMD[[i]]. Due to current demographic trends, this number is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. In most cases, intravitreal injections with the VEGF inhibitor Aflibercept can significantly slow down or even stop the loss of vision caused by the neovascular form of AMD.
“The experience of recent years shows that both patients and healthcare systems benefit from biosimilar competition. With the recent EMA acceptance for our ophthalmological biosimilar candidate FYB203, we are an important step closer to providing another effective treatment option – in addition to our already launched biosimilar FYB201 (ranibizumab) – to the many patients affected by severe retinal diseases in Europe”, says Formycon CEO Dr. Stefan Glombitza.
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1Eylea® is a registered Trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
[i] Prevalence and incidence of age-related macular degeneration in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Li JQ, Welchowski T, Schmid M, et al. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2020;104:1077-1084. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314422
Health Canada approves FYB201/Ranopto® (Ranibizumab), a biosimilar to Lucentis®
Munich, Amsterdam, Zug, Toronto – Formycon AG, Polpharma Biologics Group BV, Bioeq AG and Teva Canada Ltd. jointly announce that Health Canada has granted the “Notice of Compliance” (NOC) for Ranopto®1 (Ranibizumab), a biosimilar to Lucentis®2, for the treatment of several serious retinal diseases in Canada.
Ranopto® is indicated for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), the treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) or choroidal neovascularization (CNV), as well as the treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
FYB201/Ranopto® was developed by Bioeq, a Joint Venture between Formycon and Polpharma Biologics. Mid 2021, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Teva”) entered into a strategic partnership for the exclusive commercialization of FYB201 in Canada, Europe and selected other countries. Commercial launch by Teva Canada Ltd. is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024.
AMD is caused by excessive growth of blood vessels in the retina. Ranibizumab inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the excessive formation of these blood vessels in the retina. In developed countries AMD is the most common cause of severe visual impairment or blindness. The risk of being affected increases with age. In Canada, approximately 2.5 million people are affected by AMD with nearly 180,000 experiencing vision loss[i].
“After successful launches in the U.S., Europe and countries of the MENA region, we are very pleased that – together with our partner Teva – we are now able to provide a highly effective and affordable treatment option to patients in Canada with severe retinal diseases. With the second highest per capita sales and third highest per capita consumption in the OECD, anti-VEGF therapies in Canada have been a significant burden on public drug plans in the past. With our biosimilar, we can contribute to more competition and cost efficiency in this important therapeutic area”, says Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO of Formycon AG.
“The approval in Canada underlines the excellent work we have done together with our partners in the development of FYB201/Ranopto®. It brings us a big step closer to our goal of improving therapy access for people with nAMD and other prevalent eye diseases worldwide, and thereby contributing to a better quality of life for millions of people affected”, says Konstantin Matentzoglu, Supervisory Board Member of Polpharma Biologics Group.
“Teva Canada is very pleased along with our partners to launch Ranopto®. This marks an important milestone for our growing biosimilar portfolio and a new treatment option for Canadian patients with severe retinal disease as well as healthcare professionals”, says Michael Sine, General Manager Teva Canada.
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1Ranopto® is a registered trademark of Bioeq AG.
2Lucentis® is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
[i] Larissa Moniz, Chad Andrews, Jennifer Pereira: „Canadian patient experience with age-related macular degeneration“ in ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract, June 2022
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2781783
Formycon announces participation in international Investor Conferences in Q1/2024
Munich/Martinsried – Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) today announced that members of the Management Board plan to be present at the following investor conferences in the first quarter of 2024:
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
January 09 – 12, 2024 / San Francisco
1×1 Meetings (Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO & Enno Spillner, CFO)
Investor meeting requests are welcome via this Link.
Oddo BHF Forum
January 15 – 16, 2024 / virtual
1×1 Meetings (Enno Spillner, CFO)
UniCredit & Kepler Cheuvreux German Corporate Conference
January 17, 2024 / Frankfurt am Main
1×1 Meetings (Enno Spillner, CFO)
J.P. Morgan Annual Pan‐European Small/Mid‐Cap CEO Conference
March 12 – 14, 2024 / London
1×1 Meetings (Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO & Enno Spillner, CFO)
Jefferies Pan‐European Mid‐Cap Conference
March 19 – 21, 2024 / London
1×1 Meetings (Enno Spillner, CFO)
Metzler Small Cap Days
April 22 – 24, 2024 / Frankfurt am Main
1×1 Meetings (Enno Spillner, CFO)
For further information please visit the Formycon Website at
https://www.formycon.com/en/investor-relations/calendar/
Formycon and Fresenius Kabi announce File Acceptance for FYB202, a biosimilar candidate to Stelara® (ustekinumab), by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Munich – Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) and its commercialization partner Fresenius Kabi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has accepted the Biologics License Application (“BLA”) for FYB202, a proposed biosimilar candidate to Stelara®1.
FYB202 is a human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin 12 and interleukin 23 for the treatment of immune-mediated disorders. The reference medicinal product Stelara® is approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis as well as active psoriatic arthritis.
“The FDA file acceptance for our Stelara® biosimilar candidate FYB202 underlines the great expertise and capabilities of #TeamFormycon. Following the acceptance of our application by the EMA at the end of September, this represents another major step for us towards providing a high-quality, safe and affordable treatment option for patients with severe chronic inflammatory diseases. Thus, we are right on track with all important milestones we wanted to achieve in 2023,” says Formycon CEO Dr. Stefan Glombitza.
“Today’s BLA submission acceptance underscores Fresenius Kabi and Formycon’s unwavering commitment to improving patient access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals worldwide and to bring the ustekinumab biosimilar candidate FYB202 one step closer to patients and healthcare providers in the United States. In line with our Vision 2026, we remain dedicated to advancing healthcare solutions for the benefit of patients while expanding our immunology & oncology portfolio.“, says Dr. Michael Schönhofen, President Fresenius Kabi Biopharmaceuticals
1) Stelara® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson