KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 — Promising developments at CCM Duopharma Biotech Berhad (CCMD) put the firm in position to become Malaysia’s leading biosimilar producer, according to a BMI Research note today.
According to the Fitch Group unit, CCMD subsidiary Duopharma has successfully completed third-phase clinical trials of erythropoietin (EPO) that is used in conjunction with recombinants to combat anaemia that results from the treatment of diseases such as chronic kidney dysfunction, cancer, and more.
The trial conducted jointly with South Korean firm PanGen Biotech, which is majority owned by CCMD, resulted in the PDA10 EPO.
“The successful breakthrough marks a pivotal step for both PanGen and CCMD in the biosimilars arena and expands Malaysia’s capabilities in the biopharmaceutical industry. PDA10 is PanGen’s first commercial biosimilar finished product.
“Registration of its erythropoietin in Malaysia represents a milestone for the firm, and complements biosimilar insulin development work with Biocon,” BMI Research said.
Biosimilars are drugs that perform similarly to previously patented and licensed drugs. They differ from generics in that they are not direct copies of the innovator drugs, and instead replicate their active properties.
Both biosimilars and generics are crucial components to providing affordable healthcare against the backdrop of spiralling prices of patented and licensed medication.
The research firm said the CCMD’s announcement regarding its EPO breakthrough will mitigate the firm’s drop in revenue last year, which declined for the first time since 2011.
“CCMD is positioning itself to capitalise on this growing market, complementing its leadership position in the Malaysian generics market,” BMI Research concluded.
