Shire thrives on specialist portfolio
pharmafile | February 11, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | 2010 pharma results, ADHD, Shire, Vyvanse
Speciality pharma company Shire has posted sales growth of 16%, led by its ADHD treatment Vyvanse.
Sales of Vyvanse rose 26% to $634 million for the full year, helping to cap what chief executive Angus Russell called an ‘outstanding’ year.
Other strong performers were Elaprase, a treatment for the rare disease Hunter’s syndrome (up 14% to $403m), and Fabry disease treatment Replagal (up 81% to $351m).
Revenues were also boosted by the acquisition of gastrointestinal medicines specialist company Movetis, which brought with it Llada/Mezavant, with sales up 24% to $293m.
Movetis also brings with it European rights to Resolor, a new therapy for chronic constipation, and access to its GI pipeline.
Angus Russell, chief executive, said: “2010 was an outstanding year for Shire with the business performing exceptionally well on all fronts. Total product sales exceeded expectations and broke through $3 billion for the first time driven by a 34% increase in our core product sales. Both our Specialty Pharmaceuticals and Human Genetic Therapies businesses showed excellent growth.
The company launched Vpriv in March, a new treatment for Gaucher’s disease which capitalised on shortages of Genzyme’s established product Cerezyme. Vpriv earned $143m in its first year, but will face strong competition from Genzyme as its manufacturing production output is restored in 2011.
Shire has completed construction of its own new manufacturing facility for its orphan disease drugs Replagal and Vpriv, in Lexington, Massachusetts. The site will be ready to begin production in 2011, but must first pass the FDA’s stringent approval process.
The company has in-licensed a phase II compound for Duchenne muscular dystrophy from Acceleron, which it says will add to its “Human Genetic Therapies” pipeline. The company says this partnership and its own recently begun in-house studies for the novel intrathecal delivery of protein therapies for patients with CNS-manifestations of rare genetic diseases could be a platform for a highly lucrative Human Genetic Therapies business.
Andrew McConaghie
Related Content
Mental health medicine use in England reaches record high, NHSBSA report reveals
According to new data published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), mental health prescriptions …
ADHD coach and breathwork experts to run workshop for ADHD management
ADHD coach John Harrington and breathwork facilitator Martin O’Toole will collaborate on ‘Breathwork for ADHD …
NICE recommends digital tech for ADHD diagnosis in children and young people
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that its diagnostics advisory …
