I thought the alks/dna nutropin depot withdrawal decision was an interesting development. With more expensive cogs and mfg could this become more common for biologic commercial failures? What will become of trms/roche fuzeon partnership if it continues to bleed?
Press Release Source: Alkermes
Genentech and Alkermes Announce Decision to Discontinue Commercialization of Nutropin Depot
Tuesday June 1, 4:00 pm ET
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2004--Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA - News) and Alkermes, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKS - News) today announced their decision to discontinue commercialization of Nutropin Depot® (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injectable suspension). The decision is based on the significant resources required by both companies to continue manufacturing and commercializing the product.
Nutropin Depot, approved in 1999 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for growth hormone deficiency in pediatric patients, is a long-acting form of Genentech's human growth hormone using Alkermes' ProLease® injectable extended-release drug delivery system. Alkermes performs the manufacturing operations that convert Genentech's bulk product somatropin (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injectable suspension) into the long-acting dosage form. Genentech markets the product as Nutropin Depot in the United States.
"We are committed to patients who require growth hormone therapy and will continue to provide options with our current Nutropin line," commented Susan Hellmann, MD, MPH, president, Product Development at Genentech. "We will collaborate with physicians and the endocrine community over the next several weeks to ensure existing Nutropin Depot patients are informed and transitioned appropriately. Our goal is to work to ensure that patients' therapies are not disrupted during the transition." |
