Dror Melamed

Biogenerics in the CIS — an opportunity that should not be missed

Dr. Dror Melamed, Vice president, InSight BioPharmaceuticals, Israel

Biological drugs account for around 10-15% of the current pharmaceutical market. Patent expiration of many biopharmaceutical products and the possible cost saving for healthcare providers is driving worldwide high interest in biogenerics.

The CIS market is a highly attractive market for biotechnology-based products, due to its large population size and the not yet fully developed potential, allowing rapid and successful entry to market. It is estimated that in the recent years, Russia imported $495 million worth of biopharmaceuticals but produced only $67 million. However, companies wishing to enter the generic market will need to require new skills in manufacturing, clinical trials and regulatory compliance, pharmacovigilance testing and marketing.

InSight Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. specializes in the discovery, development, production and marketing of innovative biopharmaceuticals and biogenerics.

Being one of the first players in the biogenerics field, InSight?s strategy was to position itself as a leading developer of manufacturing technologies and forming strategic alliances in important markets.

Indeed, since 1995 InSight has been a pioneer in introducing high added value biogenerics to important markets and has established strong alliances through technology transfer and multiple product development. Leading biotech companies in Latin America have based their portfolio on InSight?s turn key technology transfer of a wide array of biogenerics manufacturing technologies, with excellent post marketing track record and impressive return on investment.

While enjoying the fruits of the first generation biogenerics, such as EPO, G-CSF and Interferons, the company is heading the next wave of off-patent biologics, mainly monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). InSight has already developed a few efficient manufacturing processes for such blockbuster Mabs and intends to launch these in the European market, through strategic alliances with EU and international players. Vis-a-vis the development of a few pivotal Mab products, InSight is investing significant effort in innovations related to follow-on biologics, including novel Pegylation technologies.

InSight has strategically decided to form partnerships in the attractive CIS market and is now looking for partners to form collaborative alliances.

Back