In Pfenex’s fourth-quarter 2017 investor call, Evert Schimmelpennink, CEO, president, secretary, and director, hinted that Pfenex may be ready to resume work on 2 biosimilar candidates whose programs had been on hiatus.
In Pfenex’s fourth-quarter 2017 investor call this month, Evert Schimmelpennink, CEO, president, secretary, and director, hinted that Pfenex may be ready to resume work on 2 biosimilar candidates whose programs had been on hiatus.
Previously, in its 2017 third-quarter call held in November 2017, Pfenex announced the company’s “decision to pause development activities” for PF582, a ranibizumab biosimilar referencing Lucentis, and PF529, a pegfilgrastim biosimilar referencing Neulasta, after a strategic review of both costs and development timelines for the drugs.
In this month’s call, Schimmelpennink said, “We continue to believe that the most prudent path for the development is a collaboration with a strategic development partner. As that business development process continues, we continue to seek partners with whom we would advance those programs.” Halting development of the 2 programs lowered research and development costs to $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with $10.7 million in the same period in 2016, said Schimmelpennink.
Pfenex previously partnered with Hospira on the ranibizumab biosimilar candidate, but after Pfizer acquired Hospira in 2016, Pfizer terminated the collaboration.
Pfenex did not address its progress on the third biosimilar its pipeline, a pegaspargase candidate referencing Oncaspar. The company’s lead products include PF708, a “therapeutic equivalent candidate” to teriparatide (Forteo) for the treatment of osteoporosis, and 2 novel anthrax vaccine candidates, Px563L and RPA563, which it is developing through a contract with the US government.
In addition, the company continues to develop hematology and oncology products in collaboration with Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Under Pfenex’s agreement with Jazz, Pfenex received upfront and option payment totaling $15 million, and may be eligible to receive payments of up to $166 million based on achievements of certain development, regulatory, and sales milestones.
Ranibizumab Biosimilar Shows Reduced Efficacy vs Aflibercept in nAMD
April 3rd 2025The ranibizumab biosimilar Ongavia exhibited significantly less improvement in visual acuity and retinal thickness compared with aflibercept (Eylea) in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), highlighting a potential trade-off between economic savings and clinical efficacy.
How AI Can Help Address Cost-Related Nonadherence to Biologic, Biosimilar Treatment
March 9th 2025Despite saving billions, biosimilars still account for only a small share of the biologics market—what's standing in the way of broader adoption and how can artificial intelligence (AI) help change that?
Biosimilars Gastroenterology Roundup: March 2025
April 1st 2025As the biosimilar industry celebrates a decade of growth, the market continues to evolve with expanded treatment options, cost savings, and a flurry of new competitors—yet regulatory challenges, market dynamics, and patient accessibility remain key hurdles to unlocking its full potential.
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.
PBM Evolution Toward Value-Based Care Shifts to Transparent Pharmacy Pricing
March 30th 2025Josh Canavan, PharmD, RazorMetrics, and Chris O'Dell, Turquoise Health, predict pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will evolve toward value-based care, mirroring the broader shift toward open-cost structures.
FDA Approves Another Pair of Denosumab Biosimilars, Conexxence and Bomyntra
March 27th 2025The FDA approved another set of denosumab biosimilars, Conexxence/Bomyntra (denosumab-bnht), expanding treatment options for osteoporosis, bone metastases, and other bone-related conditions, amidst a flurry of similar approvals and legal settlements.