Novozymes and Solvay to collaborate on digestive enzymes

10-Nov-2004

Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Novozymes A/S have entered a collaboration to develop new products for enzyme replacement therapy for patients suffering from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, e.g., due to cystic fibrosis or after pancreatic surgery.

It is estimated that 880,000 people worldwide suffer from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). Patients with PEI have trouble digesting food and getting the proper nutrients from what they eat which can lead to malnutrition. PEI is caused by diseases and conditions such as cystic fibrosis (80,000 patients), chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery. Especially for cystic fibrosis patients, pancreatic enzymes are a cornerstone of treatment.

Novozymes and Solvay Pharmaceuticals (a business unit of Solvay S.A., Belgium) expect to develop a mixture of biotechnologically tailored digestive enzymes. The enzymes under development are expected to show an efficacy profile close to that of the human pancreatic enzymes which should make the treatment even better than today's products. The two companies have perfect matching technologies for this project as Novozymes is the world leader in enzymes and Solvay Pharmaceuticals is the market leader within products for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. CREON®, the Solvay product line, is the most prescribed pancreatic enzyme preparation in the world.

Per Falholt, Executive Vice President for R&D and Chief Science Officer at Novozymes: "The research project we have entered into with Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a partnership between two companies who are champions in their fields. The partnership has very interesting potentials and we are happy to be able to work on improved products for enzyme replacement therapy. This is a true example of how Novozymes can use our enzyme-based biotechnology in new and exciting areas outside our core businesses".

The companies have decided to maintain confidentiality of the specific financial terms of the contract, but the collaboration agreement is expected to have a slightly positive effect on Novozymes' operating profit for 2004 due to payment from Solvay of development costs.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/40743/novozymes-and-solvay-to-collaborate-on-digestive-enzymes.html