Global Briefs: AbCellera, Eisai, Sandoz & UK Gov’t
A roundup of news from Eisai, Sandoz, AbCellera, and UK government. Highlights below.
* Eisai Subject of Ransomware Attack
* Sandoz Plans New HQ in Basel Following Spin-off from Novartis
* UK Gov’t Launches Pilot Program To Increase Access to Weight-Management Drugs
* AbCellera, Gov’ts of Canada & British Columbian in $522-M Antibody Drug Pact
Eisai Subject of Ransomware Attack
Eisai reported earlier this week (June 6, 2023) that the Eisai Group became aware of a ransomware incident that encrypted some of the group’s servers. In response to this case, Eisai Group said it immediately established a company-wide task force and is working on recovery efforts with the advice of external experts and undertaking measures to understand the scope of the incident. Additionally, Eisai Group has consulted with law enforcement.
The company reported that certain systems both in and outside of Japan, including logistics systems, have been taken offline as a result of the incident and the company’s ongoing response process. The possibility of data leakage is currently under investigation (as reported on June 6, 2023).
Source: Eisai
Sandoz Plans New HQ in Basel Following Spin-off from Novartis
Sandoz, the generic and biosimilar business of Novartis, has announced the location of its future permanent headquarters in central Basel, Switzerland, following the completion of its spin-off from Novartis. Sandoz expects to move from the Novartis Campus to its new headquarters in mid-2024.
Source: Sandoz
UK Gov’t Launches Pilot Program To Increase Access to Weight-Management Drugs
The UK government has announced a two-year pilot program to increase access to weight-management drugs. The program is backed by up to £40 million ($50 million) and will explore ways to make obesity drugs accessible outside of hospital settings.
The program will look for ways to increase access to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) for adults with a body mass index of at least 35 and one weight-related health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The program will explore how approved drugs can be made safely available to more people by expanding specialist weight-management services outside of hospital settings. This includes looking at how general practitioners could safely prescribe these drugs and how the UK’s National Health Service can provide support in the community or digitally.
Source: UK Government
AbCellera, Gov’ts of Canada & British Columbian in $522-M Antibody Drug Pact
AbCellera, a Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based bio/pharmaceutical company, has announced a Can$701 million (US$522 million) co-investment with the governments of Canada and British Columbia to build new capabilities and infrastructure to develop antibody-based medicines.
Over the next eight years, AbCellera plans to invest Can$401 million (US$300 million) in the project, and the governments of Canada and British Columbia will contribute Can$225 million (US$169 million) and Can$75 million (US$56 million), respectively. The investments will build new capabilities in Canada to develop, manufacture, and deliver antibody medicines through Phase I clinical trials and build expertise in translational science, technical operations, clinical operations, and research.
The project involves building a biotech campus, initiating up to 17 drug-development programs for new antibody-based medicines, with an initial focus on cancer and immune diseases, and conducting multiple Phase I clinical trials in British Columbia and across Canada.
Source: AbCellera
