PTV News Review

TVM Capital: Investment Strategies, Relationships with Big Pharma and Biotech Financing

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Dr Axel Polack, General Partner at TVM Capital. Filmed at BioBusiness 2010 in London, England, they discuss:

• TVM’s investment strategy

• Platform companies

• The effects of the economic crisis

• Milestones, exit strategies and the lack of an IPO market

• Relationships with big Pharma

• Financing in the biotech sector

• Opportunities in the future

Roche: Deals, Agreements, and Emerging Technology

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Dan Zabrowski, Head of Pharma Partnering at Roche. Filmed at BioBusiness 2010 in London, England, they discuss:

• Roche’s deal making model

• The company’s deal with Galapagos

• Later stage assets

• Chugai and the rheumatoid arthritis drug, Actemra

• The latest on Roche’s integration with Genentech through their collaboration model

• 2009 as a record year for agreements signed

• Emerging technologies and innovation

• Relations with venture capitalists

GlaxoSmithKline: The European CEEDD

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Shelagh Wilson, Vice President Head of European CEEDD at GlaxoSmithKline. Filmed at BioBusiness 2010 in London, England, they discuss:

• What the CEEDD has focused on in the past and how opportunities are identified

• The CEEDD's role within GSK

• The difference between alliances sought out by internal CEDDs and Shelagh's CEEDD

• The CEEDD's measure of success

• Dealings with struggling biotechs

• Plans for 2010

Galapagos: Technology Platforms and Future Plans

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Onno Van de Stolpe, CEO at Galapagos.

Filmed at BioBusiness 2010 in London, England, they discuss:

• How Galapagos has handled the credit crunch

• Galapagos' move into drug-making

• Milestone payment models and how they work in Biotech companies

• The technology platform within the firm

• Galapagos' plans for its orphan disease programmes

• Long-term strategies producing greater rewards

Grant Thornton: UK Tax Provisions for the Pharma and Biotech Industry

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Samantha Vanags, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton.

Filmed at the PharmaTelevision studios in Oxford, England, they discuss:

• Tax credit schemes in the UK

• The tax relief differences for R & D firms and SME's

• How R & D firms are defined by HMRC

• The importance of the tax credit schemes in encouraging foreign investment

• The awareness of eligible companies

• How the general election may affect the current schemes

Argos Therapeutics: Technology Platforms, HIV immunotherapy and Partnering

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with John Bonfiglio, CEO at Argos Therapeutics.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• The company’s origins

• Argos’ platform technologies to combat infectious diseases and cancer

• the US$ 21M National Institutes of Health (NIH) contract to develop Argos’ Arcelis HIV immunotherapy platform

• The company’s search for a partner for developing CD83, a soluble recombinant protein proving to be an effective immunosuppressant in several mouse model systems

Living Cell Technologies: New Technologies and Clinical Trials

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Dr Paul Tan, CEO of Living Cell Technologies.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• The company’s origins and aims
• Pig islet transplantation to combat diabetes
• Results of Russian and New Zealand clinical trials
• Living Cell Technologies’ issues with clinical trials in Australia
• The company’s search for a clinical service partner

Ernst & Young: The Best Practice for Firms In The Current Climate

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with Siegfried Bialojan, Head of Global Life Science Centre, Ernst & Young.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• trends identified over the last year
• the funding crisis balanced with creative deal-making
• how some small biotechs are finding it difficult to survive
• sustainable solutions to survival in the current market
• short-term vs. long-term strategies
• Siegfried's views on the future of healthcare business models

Novartis: Deal-making and the Increasing Attraction of Venture Funds

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Tony Rosenberg, Global Head of Business Development at Novartis.

Filmed at the PharmaTelevision Studios in Oxford, England, they discuss:

• Why a biotech should choose to partner with Novartis over other pharmaceutical companies
• Targeting specific opportunities
• Tony's thoughts on the decline in the industry's deal-making
• The structure of the Novartis venture fund
• Novartis' relationship with MPM
• Exit options on transactions in the current financial climate
• 2010 through the eyes of Novartis

J.P. Morgan: The World Economy and Biotech Investment

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Stephen Walters, Chief Economist at JP Morgan Australia.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• The world's economies
• Natural resources vs. high technology to support Australia's economy
• Biotech investment
• Quantitative easing

Merck Serono: Launching a New Corporate Venture Fund

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with Roel Bulthuis, Head at Merck Serono Ventures.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• Merck Serono's new corporate venture fund
• the motives behind the new venture fund
• how investees can still develop other partnerships
• a typical deal for Merck Serono under the new fund model
• how early Merck Serono invests in 'early stage' biotechs

Minomic: Innovative Testing and New Products

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Brad Walsh, CEO at Minomic International.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Minomic as a non-invasive diagnostic company
• proteins that are linked to prostate cancer
• unique tests and Minomic's secretive new marker
• diabetes as a growing disease
• when Minomic plans to have their new products on the market

Biota: Success With a Solid Product Pipeline

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Leigh Farrell, Vice President of Business Development at Biota.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Biota's recent financial successes
• the maturing of the company's pipeline in viral and respiratory disease
• key developments for Biota's programmes in 2009
• focusing on development
• Biota's share value and the reasons for its dramatic rise
• the company's future pipeline

Starpharma: Products, Deals and Forecasts

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Jackie Fairley, Chief Executive Officer at Starpharma.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Starpharma's new technology and its applications
• Starpharma's anti-viral Vivagel and its global rights
• the deal with Eli Lilly's animal health division
• Starpharma's business model
• the prospects of Starpharma taking products to market without outside help
• Starpharma's future revenue streams and the outlook for 2010

Manitoba STEM: Collaborations and Future Goals

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Douglas McCartney, Senior Executive Director at Manitoba STEM.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Manitoba’s model to attract and generate innovation
• how the model is practically implemented
• the Minnesota and Manitoba collaboration
• advantages of collaborating with STEM
• how to get a STEM collaboration
• where their strength lies
• STEM’S goals for the future

BIOTECanada: Why Firms Should Invest In Canadian Biotechs

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Peter Brenders, CEO at BIOTECanada.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• BIOTECanada's role within the structure of the biotech sector in Canada
• The effect of 2009's global economic problems on Canada's biotech sector
• the increase in external VC investment in recent years.
• what makes Canada an attractive place to biotech companies
• issues within retaining Canadian talent
• what's to come for Canadian biotechs in 2010

Intersuisse Bioscience Managers: Investments and Australian Biotech

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Matt McNamara, Chief Investment Officer at Intersuisse Bioscience Managers.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• the companies Intersuisse invests in
• private v. public companies and Australia v. New Zealand from an investment point of view
• the importance of funds
• how Australian biotech is likely to perform in 2010

GBS Venture Partners: Investing in Australia

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Dr Geoff Brooke, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of GBS Venture Partners.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• the way the life sciences industry has developed within Australia over the last 10 years
• investment opportunities within the country
• how Australian biotech companies were affected by the global financial crisis
• GBS Ventures’ funds, including Peplin
• Geoff’s predictions for the industry in the next 12 months

Roche: Partnering and Global Activity

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Bardia Akbari, Global Head of Partnering, Inflammation and AutoImmune at Hoffmann-La Roche.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• how Roche differentiates itself from the rest of the pharmaceutical companies
• where Roche is looking to do deals within the world, and its alliances with biotech companies
• what clinical stage products Roche is looking for
• the company’s diagnostics division
• how Roche is working together with personnel from Genentech following Genentech’s acquisition
• Roche’s focus on Asthma, COPD and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• the company’s reason for its Nutley location

Bailard Investments: New Pathways for Investment Opportunities

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Selena Chaisson, Director of Healthcare Investments at Bailard.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• 2009 performance in the public markets
• Bailard's criteria for investment
• how investing at early stages is the way forward
• IPO potential, with more to come in Biotech
• scouting Australia for new investment opportunities

PlantBio Trust: Balancing Global Opportunities and Local Needs in South Africa

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Antonio Llobell, CEO at PlantbBio Trust.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• how biotech has developed recently in South Africa
• innovation as one of South Africa's primary objectives
• bridging the gap between research and commercialisation
• what's profitable in South Africa
• South Africa as the gateway into the mainland
• the flourishing relationship between South Africa and Australia

Eli Lilly: The Issues With Drug Development and Regaining the Public's Trust

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with Gino Santini, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, at Eli Lilly.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• Eli Lilly's CEO's controversial statement on drug development
• how to fix the fundamental issues with drug development
• motivation behind mergers
• how biotechs can impress Eli Lilly
• how Eli Lilly can help biotechs
• regaining the public's trust by increasing transparency
• justifying the cost of new drugs

The Hon Peter Beattie, MP: Alliances and Objectives for Australian Trade

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with The Hon Peter Beattie, former Premier of Queensland, The Hon Peter Beattie, who is Queensland Trade Commissioner for North and South America.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• alliances and collaborations
• development over the last 10 years into “something special”
• objectives for the next 12 months

Paul Cheever Consulting: Funding and Investment Consultancy

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Dr Fintan Walton talks to Paul Cheever, Cheever Consulting, Co-Founder.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Medical Research Commercialisation Fund
• Pre-seed funding for tech transfer
• How the funding works

Pfizer: An Ideal Development Partner

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with Doug Giordano, Vice President, Business Development at Pfizer.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• the strategy behind Pfizer’s merger with Wyeth and how the 2 companies have integrated
• partnering with GlaxoSmithKline to focus on HIV/Aids
• the trend in Big Pharma partnering
• what Pfizer is looking for in a potential partner
• Pfizer’s emerging markets business unit
• “focus” in a difficult economic climate
• innovation and blockbuster drugs
• the future of the pharmaceutical industry in the next year

Biosceptre: A New Approach to Cancer Research

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with Alan Bootes, Chairman of Biosceptre International Ltd.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Biosceptre's unconventional approach to cancer
• the patents involved in Biosceptre's work
• partnering with other firms
• Alan's future hopes for Biosceptre's Biomarker

Biotechnology in Australia: The Government's Vision

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Fintan Walton talks with The Hon Anthony Byrne MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of the Australian government.

Filmed at AusBiotech 2009, they discuss:

• Australia's trading within biotechnology
• attracting pharmaceutical firms into Australia with tax incentives
• marrying up investors with Australian institutions
• why the Commercial Ready scheme was scrapped
• the Australian government's vision for biotechnology companies

Roche: What they look for in a partner

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaTelevision News Review, Paul Larsmon talks with Dan Zabrowski, Global Head of Pharma Partnering at Roche.

Filmed at BIO-Europe 2009, they discuss:

• what Roche is currently looking for in a potential partner
• business development at Roche and how it operates using the mantra “want, find, get, manage”
• new ways of working with Biotech
• at what stage Roche invests in opportunities
• Roche’s areas of interest, including stems cells, oncology, CNS and arthritis
• defining innovation
• the future of the pharmaceutical industry in the next year

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: Entrepreneurship and Success

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Lesa Mitchell, VP Kauffman Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, talks to Dr Fintan Walton about:

• the Foundation’s origins and its focus on entrepreneurship
• its research and policy pathway
• Translational Medicine Alliance
• the Council for American Medical Innovation
• how the Foundation measures success

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals: Saving Lives Through Innovation

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Rick Soni, Chief Operating Officer at Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, an innovative biopharmaceutical company.

They discuss:

• Rexahn’s areas of focus: CNS and Oncology
• the company’s 3 Phase II products
• partnering with Big Pharma and Rexahn’s current partnership with Teva
• Rexahn’s plans for the future

Sutro Biopharma: origins, platform technology and competitive advantage

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with William J Newell, Chief Executive Officer at Sutro Biopharma, a biopharma drug development firm

They discuss the company's:

• origins and business model
• collaborations
• platform technology, how it works and its advantages over its competitors’ platforms
• plans for the future

American Gene Technologies: the first bio-safe gene delivery vector for human clinical therapeutic use

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Jeff Galvin, Chief Executive Officer at American Gene Technologies, a genetic research firm focusing on gene therapies for cancer

They discuss:

• the origins of American Gene Technologies
• targeting cancers with gene therapy as a priority
• types of viral vectors and their immune responses
• acquiring funding for research and human trials
• the risks of pursuing solely gene technologies as opposed to diversifying
• accuracy of targeting through specialisation

The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with to Debi Brooks, Co-Founder of The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

They discuss the foundation's:

• founding in 2000 and how Debi came to work with Michael J Fox
• focus on funding research
• methods for achieving its aims and how it prioritises activities for the greatest impact
• grants and how they are structured as well as how it works with the government
• challenges in raising public awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
• research that is translational to other therapeutic areas

BioBay: Using support to bring innovation home

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview filmed at BioPharm America, Dr Fintan Walton talks to Yuwen Liu, General Manager of BioBay, China about BioBay’s mission to attract and encourage biotech in the region.

They discuss:

• why the initiative took place and what it’s about
• government investment in innovation
• the 134 companies already based in Suzhou
• sources of investment in BioBay companies
• how BioBay fully supports companies new to the region and facilitates companies’ moves with free advice
• BioBay’s aims for the future – to attract more companies to this fastest growing life sciences park in China and to continue to build the community/cluster

Fountain Medical Development: Clinical trials, government involvement and China's future

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Joanne Jiang, Executive Vice President at Fountain Medical Development, a new contract research organisation in China

They discuss:

• the nature of FMD's work in clinical trials
• assisting clients with drug development
• clinical trials inside and outside China
• how FMD's government grant allows them to use hospital space for research
• China's role in clinical trials over the next 3-5 years, and how business is done differently
• Working with experienced and less experienced partners
• MNAs, CROs and innovation as part of China's future

BayBio's year and the impact of new regulations on the industry

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Matthew Gardner, President and Chief Executive Officer at BayBio, a non-profit trade association in Northen California

They discuss:

• BayBio's stability, funding and partnering in the financial crisis
• how investors are hesitating until the dust settles
• new regulations and how they will affect private equity
• effects beyond life science for innovation as a whole
• the new wave of products borne of recent partnering
• why the industry must change as regulations change
• the hope brought by the success of smaller companies

ChinaBio LLC: China as one of biopharma's biggest players

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Greg Scott, President and Founder of ChinaBio LLC.

They discuss:

• Greg's transition from a management consultant to founding ChinaBio LLC
• the pace of technology and patents in China
• intellectual property and legal protection over techs
• the difference between bio companies in the west and in China
• the funding system in China
• innovation and Genentech’s involvement in adopting new breakthrough therapeutic approaches
• advice on how other firms should approach the Chinese market
• China's future as the world's number one developer of new drugs

Approaching Parkinson's the Neurologix way

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with John Murdock, CEO at Neurologix, an innovative New Jersey-based biotech company.

They discuss:

• the vision behind Neurologix and its novel therapeutic approach to Parkinson's
• gene therapy as a solution to countering deficiencies
• Dopamine-based therapies and potential alternatives
• Neurologix's frugality and funding
• assistance with the firm's Phase III
• securing the company's financial foundations during the crunch

Moving forward: NovaBay's present and future plans for its compounds

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Ron Najafi, Chief Executive Officer at NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, a product development firm targeting infections in hopstials and the community

They discuss:

• NovaBay's background as a company
• the fields in which NovaBay operates and its common compounds
• the application of NovaBay's new technologies
• reducing infections in hospitals
• how 2009 has been a positive year for the company
• innovation and Genentech’s involvement in adopting new breakthrough therapeutic approaches
• alliances and getting new products to market

Aisling Capital: How Funding Must Adapt to the Current Market

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Dennis Purcell, Senior Managing Partner at Aisling Capital, an investment company dedicated to funding global healthcare companies.

They discuss:

• Dennis' experiences of the market's booms and slumps
• how funding has had to adapt
• bankruptcies and efficiency of capital
• how the funding model will change
• focusing on faster returns
• new alliances between Pharma and Biotech

Genentech: Becoming a Part of Roche

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Executive Vice President, Research & CSO at Genentech, one of the world's leading biotech companies

They discuss:

• the change to the company now Genentech is owned by Roche
• partnering strategy
• the stars in the company’s product pipeline
• how Genentech chooses which targets to focus on
• the company’s focus on oncology, immunology, neuroscience and infectious diseases
• innovation and Genentech’s involvement in adopting new breakthrough therapeutic approaches
• how Marc believes the company will development in the next 3-5 years

MPM Capital: The Perfect Storm in Healthcare

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BioPharm in San Francisco, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Vaughn Kailian, Managing Director at MPM Capital, one of the world's largest life science-dedicated venture investors.

They discuss:

• why 2009 has been a landmark year for the biotech industry
• survival in the current financial crisis
• healthcare reform and the politcs involved
• how the best ideas will still find funding
• recovery
• combating risk in funding in the US Biotech sector

Celtic Pharma: Attracting Big Pharma with experience and raising US$ 750M

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at PharmaTelevision’s Oxford Studios, Dr Fintan Walton speaks with Stephen Parker, Partner at Celtic Pharma, a source of private equity and venture capital created in 2004.

They discuss:

• the drug assets acquired from companies including Xenova, IDEA and Inspire
• Celtic Pharma’s Funds, their investors and their aims to raise US$750 M
• attracting Big Pharma, based on the knowledge and hands on advice given by Celtic Pharma’s experienced management team
• how the treatment of management teams is a priority for Celtic Pharma
• exit strategies
• funding in the UK Biotech sector and the economic climate

Thiakis’ origins, Bloom and acquisition by Wyeth

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Fintan Walton talks with Dr John Burt, former CEO of Thiakis, about:

• the company’s origins and specific technology
• the work of Professor Steve Bloom at Imperial College
• obesity treatment
• how the company came to be acquired by Wyeth, and the involvement of Credit Suisse
• John Burt’s plans for the future

TVM Capital: Investments from Scotland to India

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In the last in the series of interviews from the BIA Leadership Summit, Dr Fintan Walton talks to Simon Best, Entrepreneur-in-House at TVM Capital. Simon’s background was in agriculture. He is based in the UK with responsibility for identifying interesting deal flow opportunities in and out of India. Topics discussed include:

• investment in India
• development in the Middle East and China
• Big Pharma’s work in India
• TVM’s risk strategy
• how Par Equity’s business angel syndicate actually works
• the shape of the pharma and biotech industry
• drug discovery, development and regulation

Chroma Therapeutics’ Deal with GlaxoSmithKline

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

At the BIA Leadership Summit, Dr Fintan Walton spoke to Ian Nicholson, CEO of Chroma Therapeutics. They discussed:

• Chroma’s deal with GSK

• the key to Chroma’s novel chemistry platform technology and the importance of having a platform when running a biotech company

• biotech funding and the importance of government support for the industry

• how deal making has changed in the last 20 years, including the relationship and negotiating power between pharma and biotech companies

• the next big thing to come out of Chroma

Stemgent: Fate, Obama and 74 new products

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this episode of PharmaVentures Business Review, Dr Fintan Walton caught up with Ian Ratcliffe, CEO of Stemgent, for an update on the company’s exciting past year. They discuss:

• induced Pluripotent cells

• the 74 products developed by Stemgent in the last year

• the importance of Barrack Obama’s changes to stem cell legislation

• Stemgent’s alliance with Fate Therapeutics and their Catalyst Programme: the consortium’s work to accelerate industrialisation of stem cell research

• Stemgent’s plans for the coming year to meet customer demand with unique, innovative products

MolMed’s Key Transplant Mortality Findings

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

MolMed’s approach to cancer is based on an integrated strategy that provides both drugs effectively targeting the growing tumour mass in the acute stage, and highly selective therapies to eliminate residual disease.

Dr Fintan Walton talks to Holger Neecke, Director of Business Development and Investor Relations at MolMed, about:

• how the company’s business model changed when Roche acquired Boehringer Mannheim

• how the company’s cell therapy works and how it compares to that of competitors’

• the key phase II findings for the TK cell therapy in relation to transplant mortality

• plans for the future, including those for licensing in the USA and manufacturing in the UK

BIA: Bringing success for its members

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Fintan Walton talks with Aisling Burnard, CEO of the BioIndustry Association (BIA) at the BIA Leadership Summit in Hertfordshire.

Aisling describes the purpose of the BIA and how it measures success. Topics covered include:

• What the BIA is about and how it differentiates itself from the regional associations through policy, public affairs, talking to the media and influencing government

• Measurement of success against its 3 year plan

• How it influences the European Union through lobbying and its involvement with EuropaBio

• The Association’s goals, (in relation to business issues, funding and helping members understand what is available to them, and the regulatory pathway) for the next 3-5 years

BIA: Funding and the Future of Biotech

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Fintan Walton talks with Clive Dix, Chairman, of the BioIndustry Association (BIA) at the BIA Leadership Summit in Hertfordshire.

Clive discusses:

• The state of play within the pharma and biotech industry today

• The new biotech market opening in the wake of the IPO market closing

• Importance of business angels for funding

• Government funding of research, and, in particular, the BIA’s role in the Office of Lifescience and the Government’s £150 million Innovation/Cornerstone Fund for the industry in the UK

• The future of the UK Biotech industry

Part 1: Is the Emerging Asian Market an opportunity for biotech or pharma?

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this panel discussion Fintan Walton looks at the emerging Asian markets and asks his guests what opportunities they see for different sectors of the industry in this arena. Sandy Macrae, Senior Vice President for GSK's Asia Pacific Japan and Emerging Markets R&D, Ken Macleod, Partner at Paul Capital Healthcare and Bill Guo, Chairman of Venturepharm give their views on this topic following their diverse experiences of the rising Asian biopharma industry.

Part 2: Is the Emerging Asian Market an opportunity for biotech or pharma?

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Part 1: The Golden Triangle

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In June 2009 ERBI, OBN and LBN announced an escalation in their collaborative efforts, joining together to represent the three UK regions as a single body on the international scene. This was not a merger of the three organisations involved, simply a more formalised means to collaborate. At BIO 2009 the CEO’s of all three organisations joined us to discuss bringing the three major lifescience and healthcare networking groups of the Greater South East of England together to form a super cluster and to explain how this provides potential international partners and investors with a simple access route to the opportunities in each of the regions.

Part 2: The Golden Triangle

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Merck Serono Secures Future Pipeline

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In March 2009 Merck Serono announced that they had set up a strategic Venture Fund to invest in biotech companies with interesting programmes that are in line with Merck Serono’s strategic thinking. At BIO 2009 Dr. Jöern-Peter Halle, VP Early Stage Licensing, joined Fintan Walton to discuss how this fund will give the company enviable access to exciting innovation in their main therapy areas.

Part 1: 2009 and Biotech Financing: How To Stay Afloat in Turbulent Economic Waters

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

2009 is a tough year in the business world and for many biotech companies finding essential funding is proving to be harder than ever. In this comprehensive discussion Paul Hastings, CEO, OncoMed Pharmaceuticals and Steve Parkinson, CEO, Lakewood Amedex tell of the innovative ways that companies can use to secure the cash they need to operate and of the pros and cons of new financing sources.

Part 2: 2009 and Biotech Financing: How To Stay Afloat in Turbulent Economic Waters

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Johnson & Johnson: The Fundamentals of Alliance Management

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Johnson & Johnson were one of the first companies to realise the importance of an alliance management group closely following in rival Eli Lilly & Co.’s footsteps. Rob Wills, VP Alliance Management at Johnson & Johnson, returned to the show to talk about how deal structures have evolved and the difficulties of measuring success in the alliance management arena.

Pfizer’s Out-licensing Opportunities

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In 2008 Pfizer refined their R&D strategy and decided to decrease the number of therapeutic areas that their teams were focusing on. The result of this decision is that the company now has approximately 100 molecules that they are looking to out-license. David Rosen, Head of Out-licensing, joined Fintan Walton at BIO 2009 to talk about his team’s activities. He explains that this is the first time that Pfizer has actively looked to out-license and how they are looking to maximise value for Pfizer now and in the future.

The New Merck

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In recent years, Merck & Co.'s corporate strategy has included a significant amount of licensing and partnering in order to externalise their pipeline and ensure that the company gets access to the best innovations from around the globe. Mervyn Turner, Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Worldwide Licensing and External Research talks to Fintan Walton about the reasons behind the recent acquisition of Schering-Plough, and how the research areas and product pipelines of the two companies complement each other. However, he stresses that the new Merck will continue to look externally for opportunities as a company's pipeline can never be too strong.

BIO and 2009 – the Year of Change

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

At the international BIO convention 2009, Jim Greenwood, CEO of BIO, joined Fintan Walton to discuss the many different factors that have come together over the past year to challenge the biotech industry. With the Obama administration in the White House and healthcare reform on the table, BIO has become essential for its members giving them the representation they need to ensure that policy changes work in their favour. The result, Jim Greenwood hopes, is that the industry will be supported by government as they come to understand the importance of biotechnology in the modern world.

InDex Pharmaceuticals: Exciting Licensing Opportunity

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

InDex Pharmaceuticals AB are one of a number of biotechnology companies to emerge from the renowned Karolinska Institute in Sweden. CEO, Svante Rasmuson and CSO Oliver von Stein discuss the companies approach to developing drugs using it’s DIMS (DNA immunomodulatory sequence) technology to address inflammatory bowel disease and other immune and inflammatory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Speaking at BIO 2009 where they presented their recent successful Phase 2 data they discuss their partnering strategies for the lead compound Kappaproct®, the other drugs in the pipeline and their suite of accompanying diagnostics for IBD.

Kappaproct® and other applications of InDex DIMS technology are available for license. For more information contact Adrian Dawkes, Managing Consultant PharmaVentures Ltd. | adrian.dawkes@pharmaventures.com | +44 (0)7931 428 487

sanofi-aventis’ New Direction

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Since Chris Viehbacher joined sanofi-aventis as CEO his aim has been to get the company recognised as a global healthcare company and not solely as a producer of vaccines. Jean-Claude Muller, Senior VP, Strategic and Prospective Initiatives, is at the forefront of this effort actively seeking new areas and markets that they can expand into. Here he discusses the recent acquisition of BiPar Sciences and the new deal with Oxford BioMedica as examples of how sanofi-aventis hopes to achieve its goals.

Roche:Genentech Integration Latest: Exclusive interview on PharmaTelevision

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

PharmaTelevision announced today that it is to broadcast an exclusive interview with Dan Zabrowski, Global Head, Pharma Partnering, Roche Pharmaceuticals Division and Joe McCracken, Vice President, Business Development, Genentech, on the Roche:Genentech integration, on June 4th 2009.

The interview on the business TV show "PharmaVentures Business Review" reveals the new structure and position for Genentech in the Roche organisation and how companies wishing to partner with Roche or Genentech can do so in the future. The interview also discusses broader issues such as the future position of Genentech and its role moving forwards.

Dr Fintan Walton, CEO of PharmaVentures, who also presents the PharmaTelevision shows and interviewed both Zabrowski and McCracken, said: "This exclusive interview provides insight into the operations of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. We are delighted that Roche used PharmaTelevision to communicate its integration strategy and how its implementation is progressing".

Part 1: The future of biotechs M&As: The investors' perspective

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Fintan Walton, CEO of PharmaVentures, asked a panel of leading industry fund managers how they are tailoring funds to ensure maximum return and the future of biotech M&A. They discuss:

· Benefits of the current investment strategies used and new models for M&A
· Big pharma - how they use their cash in M&A and acquisition and licensing of products
· At what stage deals are being financed, and who is investing in early stage companies
· Relationships with investors on risk sharing
· When the "IPO window will re-open"
· Exit strategies, and where the most successful have been coming from

This panel discussion was the 3rd in a series filmed by PharmaTelevision at the thought leadership conference, "Financing and Deal Making in the New Landscape", held by PharmaVentures and UKTI at The British Consulate General in Cambridge, MA.

Part 2: The future of biotechs M&As: The investors' perspective

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Part 3: The future of biotechs M&As: The investors' perspective

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

1. Out-licensing by big pharma: Pfizer, Roche and CoNCERT Pharmaceuticals discuss this hot topic (Part 1)

Fri, 29 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

What are the new out-licensing practices of large pharma? How can biotechs capitalise on these? Having the right business models and practices that match the new opportunities is key to success. The leading companies of our industry are acutely aware of this need and have implemented new ways of finding partners, doing deals and accelerate strategies. Dr Tibor Papp, Head of Advisory & Transactions of PharmaVentures asked a panel of leading executives what business development strategies and models they use to position themselves for competitive success. David Rosen from Pfizer, Robert Silverman from Roche and Jonathan Montagu from CoNCERT Pharmaceuticals offer their detailed company and personal insight into their business development models.

2. Out-licensing by big pharma: Pfizer, Roche and CoNCERT Pharmaceuticals discuss this hot topic (Part 2)

Tue, 26 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The credit crunch as an opportunity: A deal maker's paradise?

Tue, 19 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

What are the deal making implications of the credit crunch? This discussion takes a look at the impact of market conditions on biotechs'/VCs'/large pharma's current business and future prospects, liquidity and availability of finance, the impact on pipelines, availability of suitable programmes for large and mid sized pharma and biotech and the impact on valuations on distressed and acquiring companies.

The Gateway to Europe

Tue, 12 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

One of the many benefits of establishing a company within the United Kingdom, is the vast pool of talent that exists in many academic and industrial clusters around the country. Dr Nigel Whittle of the UK Trade & Investment helps companies from all over the world make the most of the R&D opportunities in the UK, a country which has a strong legacy of research and despite the economic climate is still a popular place for companies to establish their HQ's. He outlines his role in the R&D programme at the UKTI and explains how his team handles the broad spectrum of specialties that they cover, in order to help maximise the UK's potential in science and technology.

Immunocore & Adaptimmune: Battling Cancer

Tue, 05 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

James Noble, CEO of both Immunocore and Adaptimmune joined Fintan Walton at BioTrinity to talk through the separate business models the two companies have despite having been founded with the same platform and the same management. Although Immunocore is a new company it has ten years of research behind it and loyal investors who help to provide funding for the company until the desired big pharma partner is found. Adaptimmune's specialised cell therapy treatment of cancer will be in the clinic later in 2009 and will also be partnered once in clinical trials.

The Wellcome Trust: Fighting the Funding Gap

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The Wellcome Trust is well known as the UK’s largest charitable body for academic research funding. Their translational awards are a six year old initiative to help to bridge the funding gap in the commercialisation of new technologies in the biomedical area. At the recent Biotrinity conference Richard Seabrook, Head of Business Development, joined Fintan Walton to talk about the very significant funding opportunities that the Trust can provide academic organisations and small companies. He explains that anyone can apply for this funding, including non-UK based companies, and that the most importantly they need to see that tangible patient benefits emerge from Trust funded research.

Biotica’s Balancing Act

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Since 1996, when Biotica was spun out of Cambridge University, the company has been developing a pipeline of lead optimised polyketides focused on unmet clinical needs. In January 2009 they announced a deal with GlaxoSmithKline, an upfront cash payment and equity investment that has left the company in a strong position for the coming year. As Melanie McCullagh, Director of Business Development, explains in this interview the company’s broad range of different opportunities means they have to carefully balance their internal expertise with external demand.

Reinventing Roche’s Pipeline

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Despite the current economic climate, Roche’s fundamental strategy has remained the same and, as with many major pharmaceutical companies, their focus is still their pipeline. Andrew Jefferson, interviewed at the recent BioTrinity conference, discusses how his role as Head of Strategic Evaluations fits in with the many different activities of Roche’s Pharma Partnering team. His involvement with many of this group’s deals and partnerships enables him to address issues such as ‘Can you do too many deals?’, ‘Is Roche’s partnering strategy scalable?’ and ‘What makes Roche decide to enter into M&A?’

Burnham’s Commitment to Collaborative Research

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Robert Zaugg, VP Business Development at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, gives his perspective of the scientific capability and achievements of the Institute's many locations. The wide range of activities that the Institute has are all funded by federal grants, philanthropists or through collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies. With many pharmaceutical companies turning their attention to early stage research, the Burnham Institute will have an important role to play in the next few years.

Compugen’s Powers of Prediction

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Do we really have a good understanding of how life works at a molecular level? Martin Gerstel, Chairman of Compugen, explains how the company has created a computer that can accurately model the behaviour of molecules, information that can then be used to predict drug targets.

Idera Pharmaceuticals and Toll-like receptors

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Sudhir Agrawal founded Idera Pharmaceuticals using the science that he studied as part of his post-doctoral research. Now this in depth understanding of the company’s core technology has enabled him to take the role of both CEO and CSO. Here he describes the significance of Toll-like Receptors and their application in the immune therapies covering all aspects of their effect and their unique functions.

Nicast’s New Application of an Old Technology

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview Jacob Dagan, Chairman of the Board of Nicast, talks Fintan Walton through the company’s unique application of electrospinning. This technology was first discovered sixty years ago and Nicast has taken it on to create specific materials that can fill unmet medical needs. With the help of an animated video, Mr. Dagan describes exactly how the materials can be used to the benefit of the patient. Nicast plans to develop these products and only partner them at a late stage for help with marketing and commercialisation.

GlobeImmune’s Scientific Strategy

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

GlobeImmune’s CEO, Timothy Rodell, joined PharmaTelevision in San Francisco to talk about the company’s interesting origin and the exciting scientific concepts that it uses to target hepatitis infection and cancer. As a privately owned company coming to the end of a financing round the company is looking to raise money again, but as Dr. Rodell explains it may not necessarily be going to take its lead programmes through Phase III trials alone and could be seeking partners to work with by the end of 2009.

SeraCare’s Corporate Turnaround

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sue Vogt, CEO of SeraCare Life Sciences, backed by a new management team, has, over the past 12-18 months, brought the company back from bankruptcy and restored the credibility that had been lost. In this interview, she explains how she managed to achieve this, using the recent re-listing of SeraCare on NASDAQ as an example of this turnaround.

KaloBios’ Partnering Hopes

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With three clinical programmes currently in need of partnering, KaloBios has a very ambitious year ahead. At the beginning of 2008, Dave Pritchard, CEO, spoke to PharmaTelevision® about KaloBios' plans to raise more money through a corporate round of funding. Now he brings us up to speed on the successful closure of that series, along with Jeanne Jew talks through the company's high expectations for 2009.

Hadasit Bio-Holdings Cultivates Good Science

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With nine early stage companies in its portfolio at the start of 2009, Hadasit Bio-Holdings (HBL) may seem to some to be facing a tough year ahead. Ophir Shahaf, CEO, whilst recognising the challenge, has a plan in place and over the next 18 months hopes to take five or six through into clinical trials. Here he discusses the expected outcome of these young companies and how HBL intends to make sure they reach their full potential.

Oncolytics Biotech: Focusing its Trials

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Brad Thompson, CEO of Oncolytics Biotech talks through the solid science that underpins his company. Whilst describing the company’s story to date he discusses overcoming the regulatory hurdles and perceptual issues of injecting a live virus into a subject during trials and how they expect to dramatically narrow their twelve clinical trials down to two pivotal programmes during 2009. Whilst the company currently funds the trials alone without any big pharma collaborations Dr. Thompson suggests that this may change as the year progresses.

What’s Next For Nycomed?

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following the acquisition of Altana in 2006, Nycomed grew from a small Scandinavian company into a global pharmaceutical company with the resources to perform its own R&D. Håkan Björklund, CEO, explains that in-licensing still remains essential for the company, only now they have the capability to move the focus away from late stage products to early stage opportunities as well. With a strong pipeline and no fears over the financial crisis, Mr Björklund hints that Nycomed’s future plans are very much hinged on whether its ownership structure remains the same or whether it is about to change.

How SkyePharma Makes Good Drugs Better

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One important role of drug delivery companies is to improve or reposition existing drugs by the application of their own technologies. Christopher de Souza, VP Business Development, explains the technologies that SkyePharma is developing and how they will fit into current clinical needs. He discusses the changes that the company and drug delivery industry have gone through recently with a focus on inhalation products and the extent to which they will be used in the future.

The Allergan Model

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Allergan is a 'restless company', according to David Pyott, its CEO, and that is what makes it an exciting and dynamic company to work for. Made famous by Botox, Allergan's roots are firmly in ophthalmology an area it continues to grow alongside its medical aesthetics, making the company a global niche player. Here, Mr Pyott describes the essence of the Allergan's business model and how he never forgets how important it is for them to be close to their customers.

Menarini’s Global Expansion

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Italy’s largest pharmaceutical company, Menarini knows the value of strong commercial development. Here Cristiano Musso, Licensing Manager discusses the company’s expansion into Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America, which helped to enrich their portfolio. He stresses the importance of a strong sales and marketing force and how crucial taking a step into the US markets will be for them.

Will GSK’s Investment In External Research Pay Off?

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As we go further into 2009 and the deals and mergers start to hot up, the question everyone wants an answer to is 'How will big pharma fill their pipelines?' Ad Rawcliffe, Senior VP WWBD and Finance at GSK, joined Fintan Walton in San Francisco to talk about the coming year and how GSK's partnering helps them to invest in science externally to compliment and strengthen their internal research.

The Diversification of Biotecnol

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Biotecnol is proof that a hybrid business model works. As its CEO, Pedro de Noronha Pissarra, explains in this interview, the revenue stream created by its contract research and manufacturing arm not only kept the company alive but also helped the company build up its platform technology. Recently, Biotecnol took the decision to separate the two businesses and is currently looking to raise capital for the development of its own pipeline. Here, Dr. de Noronha Pissarra describes the emergence of this unique Portuguese company and how he is focusing his efforts on raising the needed cash.

Pfizer and Wyeth’s $68bn Deal

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Is the Pfizer and Wyeth deal a good move? Does this provide opportunities for other big pharma in 2009? Tibor Papp and Kevin Bottomley of PharmaVentures answer these questions and more in this special edition of the PharmaVentures Business Review.

The EBD Group's Conference Plans for 2009

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At BioEurope 2008 in Mannheim, Carola Schropp, CEO of the EBD Group, took the time to talk to Fintan Walton about recent changes in the industry and the important role that partnering still plays. As the biopharma community looks to the future and starts to assess the damage caused by recent economic events, Ms. Schropp feels confident that partnering conferences will continue to be essential in enabling deal making. She outlines the meetings that are planned for next year, including the new EuroMedtech conference, which will take place in June 2009.

Genera Biosystems: Diagnostics Come of Age

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In early 2008 Genera Biosystems was floated on the ASX and, despite the current economic environment, the CEO, Allen Bollands is feeling positive about the company’s future. He predicts that a ‘golden age’ for diagnostics companies is just around the corner and discusses how he intends to keep Genera Biosystems at the forefront of the industry, making the most of the company's current cash position and strong platform technology.

China’s Emergence Into the Global Pharma Industry

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Recently big pharma have been taking advantage of the financial and industrial environment in China. In this interview Fintan Walton and Dr. Bill Guo, founder and Chairman of Venturepharm, take a look at the evolution of the biopharma industry within China. Dr. Guo speaks of the dramatic changes that China has been experiencing and, as his company rides at the forefront of these changes, the reasons he predicts that China will very shortly be a major player in all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.

The Future of Regenerative Medicine

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As President of the world’s largest funding source for regenerative medicine Alan Trounson draws on his experience from his long career in research which extends back to the very beginnings of this groundbreaking area. He talks of his personal career and the birth of stem cell research and explains how the Institute will help to ensure that the science fulfils its potential.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s New Direction

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a company that has undergone distinct changes in the last few years. Timothy Herpin explains the thoughts behind their new, broader strategy and their aims to re-invent themselves as a biopharma company becoming more innovative and less integrated. Part of their aim is to source more partners and, since the failed acquisition attempt of ImClone, the company is cash-rich and actively looking to expand its portfolio.

Biota Focuses on the Future

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As one of the longest surviving Australian biotech companies, Biota Holdings has a varied and high profiled history. Dr Leigh Farrell talks of the future of the company following the recent litigation process and settlement with GSK and how the company is back strongly focusing its resources on its drug discovery pipeline. For a cash strong company, like Biota, he sees the economic climate as an opportunity to build and he intends to make the most of it, seeking quality opportunities during his international travels.

Starpharma’s Nanotechnology

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Jackie Fairley
CEO
Starpharma

Dr Jackie Fairley, CEO of Starpharma Holdings, discusses the recent deal that the company has signed with SSL International, the Durex® condom manufacturer. Although the company is a platform technology company it is resisting the temptation to diversify and intends to continue to concentrate on the pharmaceutical applications of dendrimers. Dr Fairley explains the reasoning behind their partnering strategies and how the company will see their way through this current economic crisis.

Merck Goes Back to Basics

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As VP & Head, External Scientific Affairs at Merck & Co., Greg Wiederrecht is responsible for the scientific side of the licensing process. Taking the lead in deal making in the early stages, Dr Wiederrecht looks for strong and innovative science and, with Merck's recent decision to focus on basic research, his role is vital. Here he explains the role of his department and how they work with the global scouts and the corporate licensing group to ensure that deals Merck makes are founded on solid science.

Roche Seeks Out CNS Prospects

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The formation and management of dynamic partnerships has helped Roche to make a name for itself in several therapeutic areas. Sarah Holland describes her aim to make sure that one of these areas is CNS through developing their current clinical pipelines and by finding external innovations that compliment their internal projects. She explains that with all the different science she sources the deal structures vary widely, making sure that the product has the best chance of success.

New Pharma Partner for Eskitis Institute

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On the 28th October 2008 Pfizer announced its new anti-infective partnership with the Eskitis Institute at Griffith University. In this interview Fintan Walton talks with Stuart Newman, the institute’s Business Manager, about what this collaboration means for them. Dr Newman explains why the Eskitis Institute has succeeded in the world of natural products where so many have struggled and how they are using their capabilities from 14 years of experience within this field to drive products forward into pharmaceutical pipelines.

Pfizer’s Investment Strategy

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pfizer recognises the importance of biotechnology and the need for good science. Barbara Dalton and Daniel Grant explain their different roles in Pfizer and the ways in which the company can invest to help nurture new technologies and early-stage companies. With a look at Australia’s biotechnology industry they discuss how they see the financial crisis affecting the investment cycles, deal-making and the variety of opportunities Pfizer is looking for.

Was Biotech Failed By The Cutler Report?

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

‘Innovation policy is economic policy’. Dr Terry Cutler, author of the controversial ‘Cutler Report’, is interviewed by Fintan Walton in this special edition of ‘PharmaVentures Business Review’ filmed in Melbourne at AusBiotech 2008. Following a discussion of the aims of the report Fintan focuses in on the effect the report will have on Australian biotech and gives voice to the many criticisms the industry has of the recommendations. Terry Cutler addresses these criticisms and talks about what the government can do to help such a unique sector within industrial innovation on a national and international level.

AusBiotech Evolves

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the economic outlook in October 2008, Anna Lavelle describes the positive buzz that surrounded this year’s conference in Melbourne; the talk was not of negativity and gloom but of partnerships and collaborations. The biotech industry in Australia is used to challenges and has proved itself resilient, but as Dr Lavelle looks to the future she explains the importance of the role that Asia will play and why next year the conference will be for the AsiaPacific region instead.

How Government Can Make A Difference

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can government make things happen? Peter Beattie, former Premier of Queensland, explains how he helped to transform the state through government legislation and strategic funding. As Premier he noticed a need to broaden the base of the economy and wanted to stimulate scientific research and commercialisation within the region, he describes how he achieved this against strong scepticism to become a champion of biotechnology and innovation.

Victorian Government Provides Support for Innovation

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The role government can play in providing innovators with support through development to commercialisation is discussed in this special interview with Gavin Jennings, the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Innovation in the Victorian Government. He talks of the many policies in place in Victoria which help to encourage businesses to not only locate themselves there but also to collaborate with existing Victorian companies. The recently announced AU$ 41 million Innovation fund created by his administration to help harness research opportunities and to create momentum in the region is one of the examples he highlights of how the government helps innovation in Victoria.

Takeda Strengthens its US Presence

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Greg Landes recently joined Takeda San Francisco as Vice President, Antibody Research where he is responsible for overseeing, and the management of, all research functions directed towards the discovery and advancement of antibody drugs. In this week's interview, he discusses the purpose of the company as it grows and its role in Takeda's globalisation plans. With a focus on his own department and the science that it performs, Dr Landes builds a picture of a company whose progress will be exciting to watch in the future.

How Do Eli Lilly & Co Do Deals?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Most deals will fail for non-technical reasons". A sobering thought for the biotech industry, especially with the global markets collapsing around us where big deals are a lifeline to many companies. Mark Barbato explains how Eli Lilly & Company decided to tackle this problem back in the 90's with the creation of its Alliance Management group, which is now responsible for the company's relationships with its partners. Part of their role is to find, get and create value and Mr Barbato stresses that although Lilly is currently acquiring several small companies, such as ImClone and SGX, their focus today is still on forming a diverse range of collaborations.

Oxford BioMedica: Survival of the ‘Cash-Rich'

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Eighteen months in the life of a biotech company is a significant length of time. Nick Woolf takes this opportunity to bring you up-to-date with the changes in Oxford BioMedica since his last appearance on the show, giving insight into the Trovax® trial results and the effects of these results on its relationship with Sanofi-aventis. Looking to the future he tells of the restructuring the company has gone through in order to secure its financial and commercial position in these uncertain times and discusses the importance of their ‘cash-rich’ status.

Sir Michael Rawlins Criticises Excessive Pharma Executive Pay

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview with Sir Michael Rawlins, the Chairman of NICE, Fintan Walton discusses the financial issues facing pharmaceutical and biotech companies throughout the drug discovery and development process. Following several comments made by Sir Michael Rawlins in the UK national press regarding the pricing of drugs and the executive reward structure within the industry, they discuss the need for radical change in the way drug development proceeds from the regulatory level through to the marketing and pricing of drugs.

Early Stage Spin Outs and the Road to Success

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this panel discussion, Fintan Walton talks with the three panel members about early stage funding and the ability to spin out companies. They discuss the difficulties faced by spin out companies, what approach they should be taking, and the difficulties that they will likely face in the future.

Dr. David Glover, who has had vast experience within the biotech industry and been involved in the creation of previous spin outs, starts the discussion by highlighting problems new spin out companies are facing in the current climate and what they can expect to face in future. He indicates ways in which to move the company forward by seeking alternative funding and ensuring they have a mature business model.

Dr. Tibor Papp, Head of Advisory at PharmaVentures agrees with David and advises start-up companies to keep their options open. He recommends looking into many different types of deals and funding options in order to spread their risk and progress the company despite the decrease in availability of early stage funding.

Dr. Davidson Ateh of Queen Mary’s University of London, a budding entrepreneur, adds to the discussion by outlining the difficulties he is facing in finding funding and his approach to survival within the current market. He talks about the efforts start-ups are required to make in order to secure funding and their need to be flexible in many ways to ensure the longevity of the company, suggesting possible ways in which to sustain revenue and ensure funding continues to come in.

Novacta Biosystems: Overcoming Hospital Based Infection

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this programme Fintan Walton talks with Tony Sedgwick, CEO of Novacta Biosystems, a UK-based anti infective therapeutic company. They discuss the company’s strong pedigree and background in genetic engineering, particularly with reference to metabolic engineering and hospital based infections. Tony Sedgwick explains that the company has a dual business model, with the service side providing £1 million a year revenue which enables the company to take their therapeutics all the way to clinical trials without corporate partnerships.

Recent Deals Discussion: Eli Lilly/Imclone and BTG/Protherics

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this programme Fintan Walton talks to Tibor Papp and Steven Renwick of PharmaVentures Consultancy. They discuss the recent deals between BTG and Protherics and Eli Lilly and ImClone.

Cancer Research Technology: Driving Cancer Drug Development

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this programme Fintan Walton talks to Dr Keith Blundy, CEO of Cancer Research Technology, the drug development and commercialisation arm of Cancer Research UK. Having described the relationship between Cancer Research UK and CRT, Dr Blundy goes on to explain that CRT’s role goes beyond drug discovery to source, develop and commercialise drugs in order to achieve their ultimate aim of increasing patient benefit. He talks of the business strategies and future plans for CRT including how the company intends to cope with a lack of potential partners in the UK to ensure that it manages to achieve its goals.

PharmaVentures: Valuation methods and trends in licensing deals

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this informative panel discussion, Fintan Walton talks with 3 members of PharmaVentures’ deal advisory team about Royalty Rates, particularly the valuation of deals in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and the challenge to find information about Royalty Rates not generally available in the public domain.

Dr Tibor Papp, Head of Advisory, outlines how the consultancy team would advise clients to enable them to arrive at the best Royalty Rates for their deals in the intensive deal-making environment.

Nigel Borshell, Senior Consultant, and the editor of the soon-to-be-published PharmaDeals® Report, The Royalty Rate Report 2009: A Comprehensive Assessment of Valuation in the Pharmaceutical Sector, talks about the methods used for calculating Royalty Rates; use of NPV calculations, market benchmarks, the application of “Real Options” and the 25% rule of thumb.

Steven Renwick, Consultant, who was involved in the design and execution of the recent LES Royalty Rates Survey, talks about the research findings, such as the different valuation methods used by pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, universities and research institutes.

Watch this interview now to find out more about Royalty Rates and how they can be used to increase flexibility around the deal negotiation process.

For further information on The Comprehensive Guide to Royalty Rates in Pharmaceutical and Biotech Deals. 2009 Edition, please visit our website or contact The PharmaDeals Team on +44 (0) 1865 784 177.

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PharmaDeals® is the publishing imprint of PharmaVentures Ltd.

DuBiotech: The Creation of a Knowledge-based Economy

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this latest interview, Fintan Walton talks with Dr Ihsan Almarzouqi at BIO San Diego. They discuss the innovative development currently under construction in Dubai - the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech).

Dr Almarzouqi explains that the Park was set up as part of the Dubai government’s vision to diversify their economy. So far, they have attracted 45 major companies including big pharmaceuticals, such as Amgen and Pfizer, and their goal is to attract companies from every aspect of the industry including legal, logistical and biotech support services. Ihsan Almarzouqi describes the unique opportunities that Dubai offers because of its location and the support available to companies interested in investing in the future of this venture.

Antisoma Plc acquires Xanthus Pharmaceuticals

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

On 11th June 2008, Antisoma Plc finalized their acquisition of Xanthus Pharmaceuticals. In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Nicholas Adams, Director of Business Development at Antisoma, and Dr Michael Boss, formally of Xanthus and now General Manager (Autoimmune) at Antisoma.

Nicholas Adams and Michael Boss outline the benefits of the acquisition agreement from the perspective of both companies. They also discuss the products involved and how funding was focused to ensure the future success of Antisoma.

InterMed Discovery: The World's Largest Natural Product Library

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview Fintan Walton talks to Mr Erik Metz, Head of Business Development at InterMed Discovery - a Natural Product lead discovery company from Dortmund, Germany. Erik Metz explains how InterMed Discovery made use of the assets it brought out of Bayer HealthCare AG to diversify its target market and make its services available to biotech, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic companies. Having explored the origins of the company he discusses what the future holds for InterMed Discovery, focusing on the company's plans to develop its own therapeutic portfolio either by a strategic partnership or by raising capital independently.

EGEN: A Research Driven Business

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed in June at BIO in San Diego, Fintan Walton talks to Dr Khursheed Anwer, Senior VP for Research and Development and CSO of EGEN, a speciality biopharmaceutical company based in Alabama. Dr Anwer explains the science behind the company’s proprietary technology and its promising performance in late-stage ovarian cancer patients. He attributes the achievements of the company to strong inter-communication between different scientific disciplines and allowing research to drive the business.

Cellzome and GlaxoSmithKline: Deal announced on 10th September 2008

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this programme Tim Edwards talks to Fintan Walton to discuss the recent news from Cellzome. The company announced today that it has signed a worldwide strategic alliance to discover, develop and market novel kinase-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases with GlaxoSmithKline.

Xceleron: Changing the Face of Clinical Trials

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Professor Colin Garner, founder and CEO of Xceleron, a bioanalytical CRO that is changing the way drugs are developed. Established in 1997 as part of a transatlantic scientific collaboration, the company has taken accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) into the drug discovery arena.

Professor Garner talks us through the original aims of the company, its past and present business models and the way it created a market for its services. He touches on the results of the European Union AMS Partnership Programme (EUMAPP) trial and on how AMS technology is radically changing the way in which pharmaceutical companies approach clinical trials and drug selection.

Polyphor Ltd: Developing Innovative Protein Epitope Mimetic Technology

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at BIO in San Diego, Fintan Walton talks to Dr. Jean-Pierre Obrecht CEO, co-founder and Delegate of the Board of Directors of Polyphor Ltd. In July 2008 Polyphor announced the successful completion of its Phase I clinical study on POL6326, a CXCR4 inhibitor, the first trial of its proprietary PEM technology.

Dr. Obrecht describes the evolution of the company and the potential future of the PEM technology following the success of preliminary clinical studies. He tells how Polyphor’s Small Molecule Business Unit supports and helps fund the PEM technology development, which enables Polyphor to not only take POL6326 onto Phase II studies but to begin pre-clinical studies on POL7080, an antibiotic.

Stemgent: Supplying Advanced Technologies and Research Tools to the Stem Cell Research Industry

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Ian Ratcliffe, CEO of Stemgent - an early stage company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This programme explores the genesis of the idea for the company as well as the origins of funding through venture capital backing. Ian Ratcliffe explains his vision for the company’s future and discusses the need for small companies to set achievable scientific standards. He also touches on the benefits of working within a new and fast-paced scientific discipline.

EBD Group: Carola Schropp

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at Bio-Europe Madrid, Fintan Walton talks to Carola Schropp, President and founder of the EBD Group. EBD has organised the partnering conference Bio-Europe since 1993 to enable networking between Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies and in September 2008 will launch BioPharm America. Carola Schropp discusses changes in this fast-growing industry, the ideas behind Bio-Europe and the part that such conferences play in deal making processes.

Artisan Draws Strength from Japan and the US to Treat Sepsis

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Filmed at the BIO conference in San Diego, Fintan Walton talks to President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisan Pharma, Jeffrey D. Wager MD. Dr Jeffrey reveals how building close, long term relationships with Japanese companies has led to the formation of Artisan Pharma, a company funded by both Japanese and US investors. The company, based in Massachusetts, with the help of its partner, Asahi Kasei Pharma of Japan, was formed to create focus and attention around its lead product, ART-123 (Asahi recombinant thrombomodulin). A key to regulating thrombosis and inflammation, Dr Wager explains progress in the development and commercialisation of the product . The product is approved in Japan and used for the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), including sepsis.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Offers Fresh Hope for Sufferers of Lupus

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed during the recent BIO conference in San Diego, Fintan Walton speaks with Dr. Deirdre Gillespie, President and CEO of nearby La Jolla Pharmaceutical. La Jolla is currently in the latter stage of Phase III testing with their unique product, Riquent, which is designed to treat patients with lupus. Riquent employs novel technology, created by La Jolla, in that it is comprised mostly of DNA and sweeps the antibodies that are attacking patients’ DNA out of their bloodstream. Since the commonest causes of ill health among lupus sufferers is caused by the treatments for it—often high dosages of steroids to fight flares—Riquent is used to prevent exacerbations and is therefore, much safer. Dr. Gillespie reveals how the company had to rebound after failing with Riquent in Phase III clinical trials a few years back when it was discovered the dosages were too low. Since then, they have secured another round of funding and have increased the dosage by several factors in the current stage of testing. Dr.Gillespie anticipates they will be able to launch Riquent at some point between now and the end of 2009, depending on the results of ongoing studies.

Paul Capital Partners: Growth Capital Providers for the Biotech Industry

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed during the recent BIO conference in San Diego, Fintan Walton speaks with Ken Macleod, partner in the well-known Paul Capital Partners, located in London. He tells how the company differs from traditional venture capitalist funds by providing funding based on royalty interests and revenue interests. Using these methods, Paul Capital is able to provide non-dilutive funding to companies that are looking to grow their operations in a variety of ways—providing cash for products in the pipeline, expanding their sales force, or launching new products. Their investments focus on companies that are already producing revenue or have products that are close to producing revenue, and their risk sharing model involves taking commercial risks rather than clinical or regulatory risks. Last year, financing of this kind provided over $2 billion in funds to the biotech and pharma industry and Paul Capital believes this number will continue to grow as companies look to use the potential of their royalty and revenue streams in ever more flexible ways.

BioInvent’s Deal with Roche – Are Early-Stage Deals on the Rise?

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview Fintan Walton speaks with Martin Wiles, Vice President of Business Development of BioInvent International based in Lund Sweden about the deal which Bio Invent has entered into with Roche for their jointly developed anti-cancer agent TB-403. The discussion reveals the qualities which made Roche the ideal partner for this deal, including its expertise in oncology, the fact that the deal was given a good valuation, and the ability for BioInvent to remain involved in the programme throughout its development. Martin describes the potential therapeutic focus of this early-stage product suggesting that it may have implications both within and outside of oncology. The terms of this milestone 450K Euro scheme were discussed, along with the interesting point that one must balance the risk of forming partnerships too early in the stage, and indeed whether larger pharmas are considering early-stage partnerships with increasing interest as part of a broad strategy.

EuropaBio: Working to Create the Right Environment for Biotech to Thrive in Europe

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at the recent BIO conference in San Diego, Fintan Walton speaks with the newly appointed Secretary General for EuropaBio, Dr. Willy De Greef. He explains how EuropaBio, located in Brussels, works with biotechnology and European institutions as an advocate for the industry to help shape the policies and environments necessary for the industry to thrive. Some current issues that EuropaBio is working on include intellectual property issues and the complexities of the Europan patent procedure. Dr. De Greef believes that Europe is a “work in progress” in creating environments in which biotech industries can prosper and in fostering relationships between start-up companies and the venture capitalist community. He feels most companies fall when trying to work their way through the complex European regulatory maze and EuropaBio hopes to work with the European Commission to minimize this. Looking forward to the future, Dr. De Greef states that European institutions must work to take advatange of the raw material they have in their fanastic research base and to continue to foster their thriving life science community.

BIO: The Future

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton speaks with Jim Greenwood, the CEO of BIO, at their recent annual meeting in San Diego where over 20,000 attendees gathered from more than 70 countries around the world. They discuss what the future holds for the industry with the affects of the ongoing credit crunch and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Mr. Greenwood agrees that, based on the voting records of both Senators Obama and McCain, whoever wins the election will certainly make one of their first acts the reversal of President Bush's restriction on embryonic stem cell research. In addition to that potentially monumental change, the industry also faces upcoming battles over patent reform in the U.S. courts and the appointment of a new FDA commissioner. Looking towards the future, Mr. Greenwood sees two of the most exciting areas for growth in the fields of gene silencing and the continued advancements in the area of biofuels production.

Neuropharma: A New Wave of Drugs to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton speaks with Belén Sopesén, Managing Director of Neuropharma, a subsidiary of the Zeltia group specialising in research and development of innovative drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharma has exclusive rights to use the huge library of marine organisms created by sister company Pharmamar, for exploration and exploitation in the field of neurological diseases. Currently, the company has completed Phase I clinical trials on its lead compound, code named NP-12, a new mechanism of action that may slow the neurodegenerative process by inhibiting the GSK-3 enzyme involved in the excessive phosphorilation of the tau protein and in the deposit of neurofibrillary tangles. Phase II clinical trials on NP-12 are set to begin before the end of 2008. With long term plans to develop into a pharmaceutical company, Neuropharma is currently seeking partners for licensing their compound in North America and may also be looking towards an IPO offering in 2009.

Karus Therapeutics: Better Medicines from Selective HDAC Inhibitors

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton speaks with Simon Kerry, CEO of Karus Therapeutics, an emerging biotechnology company founded as a spin-out from the University of Southampton in 2005 to focus on the discovery and development of new drugs to treat cancer and inflammatory disease. The company's focus is the development of a new family of optimised, highly-potent and highly-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDI's) which the company believes have the potential to become best-in-class treatments for cancer and inflammation. Karus has completed two rounds of venture funding, and is now looking to conventional VC funds for a third round of financing, to be completed by the end of 2008. Dr Kerry anticipates significant growth for Karus over the next few years as it moves its first three programmes into the clinic for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

ValiRx: Bioscience Innovation

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed during BioEurope 2008 in Madrid, Fintan Walton speaks with Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, an AIM listed biopharmaceutical company based in the UK. Focusing on epigenetics, ValiRx is developing novel technologies and products in oncology therapeutics and diagnostics. They act as a "mother" company to the two companies they have developed to concentrate on these separate goals: Cronos, focusing on cancer therapeutics; and ValiBIO, which focuses on cancer diagnostics. Within these companies, ValiRx has created unique partnerships with academia that allows them to utilise those distribution channels that have already been created and to provide the institution with revenue from future royalties. As subsequent complementary opportunities are identified by ValiRx, it is feasible that their portfolio of companies will continue to grow as they capitalise on their experience in transferring technologies and products into the commercial arena.

Mercury Therapeutics: Novel Approaches in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, filmed at the recent BioEurope conference in Madrid, Fintan Walton speaks with Dr. Neal Birnberg, CEO of Mercury Therapeutics, and Stan Yakatan, Chairman of Mercury’s Board of Directors. Mercury Therapeutics was founded in 2001 and its main focus is on the discovery and development of orally active small molecule activators of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The company has recently filed for patent protection on three lead compounds that directly and specifically activate AMPK and estimate they are about 16-18 months away from IND filing on those compounds. As Mercury’s direction has changed over the years, from a company originally creating screening technology to an early-stage drug development company, they are actively seeking new strategic partners to help them further their efforts to discover novel treatments for unmet medical needs.

AM-Pharma: Developing innovative alternatives to antibiotics

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton speaks with Bart Wuurman, CEO of AM-Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company, based in the Netherlands, that is focused on the development and commercialisation of innovative therapeutics that treat inflammatory diseases and infectious diseases. The company is conducting Phase II clinical trials for two products; Alkaline Phosphatase for acute renal failure and ulcerative colitis; and Selective Immune Response Amplifying peptide hLF1-11 for the treatment of drug resistant hospital acquired infections. With AM-Pharma having completed Series B funding and about to begin Series C, Dr. Wuurman is investigating a range of funding possibilities including partnerships with top-tier development companies, licensing deals, and even a potential IPO offering.

The GI Company: Specialists in GI Medicine

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Nicholas Barker, President and CEO of The GI Company. The interview commences with Nicholas discussing the academic origins of The GI Company, its technologies and its financial sources. Nicholas talks about the company’s lead programme, known as Intestinal Trefoil Factor (ITF) and explains how ITF promotes mucosal repair, thus giving the drug scope to treat several conditions. Nicholas mentions the benefits of applying a virtual company structure to The GI Company, and also covers the key attributes of a company wishing to partner the ITF programme. The interview is concluded with the prospects for ITF and its development for treating a range of indications.

Takeda Research Investment: Reaching Beyond the Land of the Rising Sun

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This insightful conversation features Graeme Martin, CEO of Takeda Research Investment (TRI) the corporate venture arm of Takeda Pharmaceutical, the largest pharma company in Japan and among the largest in the world. Dr. Martin shares TRI’s plans to invest US$100 million seed money in a variety of early-stage innovative ventures, to help expand Takeda’s research horizons outside Japan. With a plan to invest in 4-5 new efforts a year, TRI hopes to eventually manage a steady state investment of about 20 companies that will include both minority investments and active, collaborative partnerships designed to create synergies with Takeda’s considerable R&D resources.

Maryland DBED: Will this US State be the Next Silicon Valley?

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview Fintan Walton speaks with Lawrence Mahan, Senior Strategy Advisor for Biosciences for the state of Maryland, and Richard Zakour, Executive Director of MdBio, at the recent BioEurope conference in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Mahan shares the commitment of Maryland to grow the already brimming biotechnology industry in the state through its development of a Life Sciences Advisory Board to provide a long term strategy for the state, and its funding of the Maryland Venture Fund, now in its 14th year, which provides seed and early stage funding for fledging companies. Dr. Zakour tells how, in his role with MdBio, he works to raise the awareness of Maryland as a rewarding environment for companies looking for a base for U.S. operations, such as Qiagen who recently located their U.S. headquarters there. With the rich R&D resources of Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland system and the National Institute of Health (NIH), both men feel that Maryland is developing into an important biotechnology centre that will rival the major U.S. centres in California and Massachusetts.

Addex Pharmaceuticals and the Pursuit of the True Innovation

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this conversation with Dr. Vincent Mutel, co-founder and CEO of Addex Pharmaceuticals, Fintan Walton reveals how the Addex mission—to achieve true innovation—has contributed to the tremendous success of this young biotech company. Addex discovers and develops allosteric modulators, with a focus on those that target G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), a class of receptors that have proven therapeutic utility in many diseases. Dr. Mutel believes that this kind of innovative approach is the mission of biotech and that this innovation is the “currency” of biotech and will provide the necessary funding for worthwhile projects. Addex has seen its own work validated through high-profile deals with Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. and a 2007 IPO offering that was one of the largest in Europe for several years.

Apposite Capital: Ready to Take the Lead in Life Science Investments

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Dr. Allan Marchington, partner in Apposite Capital, an independent single sector fund located in London but established with funding from the Mizuho Financial Group, one of Japan’s largest financial services company. Focusing on health care services in the UK and on life sciences in Europe and the U.S., Apposite uses their well-established network of executives and entrepreneurs to first identify and then to take the lead as early stage investors. A nine year fund, Apposite is endowed with $200 million to invest and, to date, have invested about 50% of their fund. Dr. Marchington shares that their success is built on their systematic approach to identifying areas of investment, their diligent efforts to work closely with early-stage companies, and their top-notch Advisory Board selected from some of the world’s top pharma companies.

Archimedes Pharma: A Thriving Speciality Pharma

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this new interview, Fintan Walton talks to Richard de Souza, CEO of Archimedes Pharma. Richard describes how Archimedes' strategy has evolved over the 18 months since his last appearance on PharmaTelevision. He discusses the strategic acquisitions the company has undertaken to establish itself, and summarises the company's presence within the major European markets. An interesting conversation develops about the challenges facing speciality pharma in Europe, followed by Richard's outline of Archimedes' current plans for commercialising their products in the US. The two conclude the interview with a discussion of the de-risking of Archimedes' development strategy, how this was applied to its lead product, NasalFent®, and the company's plans for the coming 12 months.

EUSA Pharma: Strategies of a Speciality Company

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Bryan Morton, Founder and CEO of EUSA Pharma. Bryan begins by discussing the establishment of EUSA Pharma, and how its formation was motivated by the successful acquisition of Zeneus Pharma (also founded by Bryan), by Cephalon in 2005. Bryan talks about the three speciality pharma models employed by EUSA, the similiarities and differences between the US and Europe speciality pharma and the reason for basing EUSA in the US. He also talks about EUSA’s strategy in Europe versus the strategies of the more traditional, private European mid-sized companies. Bryan speculates on the future of speciality pharma companies, and of EUSA in particular. The interview ends with a discussion of EUSA’s pending acquisition of US company Cytogen, and EUSA’s strategy with regard to further acquisitions.

Bird & Bird: A View of Competition Law in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview for PTV, Fintan Walton talks to Richard Eccles, Partner at the international law firm Bird & Bird, on the contents of the report entitled ‘Competition Law and Intellectual Property Strategy in the Pharmaceuticals Sector’, written by Richard and his colleague Gerry Kamstra, of Bird & Bird. This major new report is a co-publication between PharmaVentures and Bird & Bird.

In the interview Richard explains the importance of understanding competition law, and how these operate across the EU. Pricing and regulatory issues are discussed in-depth, and Richard comments on the changing levels of complexity of regulatory laws. He also gives a summary on generic companies’ stance within competition law. Richard illustrates these points using specific cases involving GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

Synta Pharmaceuticals: Strategy and Pipeline

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Safi Bahcall, President and CEO of Synta Pharmaceuticals. They begin by discussing Synta's origins, and how the company was established through the research of Harvard and MIT scientists. Safi talks about Synta's lead anticancer product and explains its mechanism of action, as well as reviewing the current state of the company's pipeline. He expands upon the terms of Synta's major agreement with GlaxoSmithKline and the interview concludes with a discussion of Synta's growth strategy.

Novarix: Interview with Lise Kagenow: Inventor and Entrepreneur

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Lise Kagenow, Managing Director of Novarix. Lise explains how her early career prompted her to become an inventor and entrepreneur and set up Novarix as a company. She goes on to talk in more detail about her first invention Stabi-Line™: a patented medical device to stabilise iv infusion lines. They discuss the steps involved in bringing an invention to market - from developing the idea and raising finance, to licensing the product for commercialisation. The interview concludes with Lise talking about the ‘Innovation Advisory Service’ scheme which she established to provide advice to budding inventors.

NovaQuest: Principles and Strategies

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Ben Cons, Vice President of NovaQuest, about NovaQuest’s functions and operations, and how these differ from those of its parent company, Quintiles Transnational. Ben talks about the financial commitment NovaQuest has made to its partnerships and how this is split between its biotech and large pharma clients. He outlines the two principle ways in which NovaQuest operates with companies, and how it shares some of the risks and returns. Ben discusses the current changes in the industry, the drivers for these changes, and how they affect NovaQuest’s business. He highlights some examples of partnerships that show how the company is adapting to these changes – in particular he discusses its alliances with Eli Lilly and Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Ben talks about how NovaQuest manages the risk within its alliance portfolio and the company’s approach to its equity contributions in life sciences companies. Finally, he gives his opinion on the progress of the industry from NovaQuest’s viewpoint, and discusses how the company will grow in relation to Quintiles.

London Genetics: Bridging the Gap

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Professor Nick Lench, CEO of London Genetics, about the company’s vision to facilitate access for biotech and pharmaceutical companies to the wealth of genetic information and expertise at a number of London’s leading academic institutes. Nick discusses the company’s overall strategy, the services that it is providing and the benefits that a single point of access brings to London’s genetics community.

Xanthus: Evolving Business Strategies

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Mike Boss, Chief Business Officer, Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, about his role in the evolution of Xanthus, a biopharmaceutical company founded in 2001. After covering Mike's industry experience, Fintan and Mike discuss how Xanthus morphed from a personalised medicine company into a drug discovery firm, which today has five promising molecules in its product pipeline. All of the company's products are focused on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders. With successful backing from a group of venture capital firms and US$25 M secured in a recent funding round, Xanthus is in a strong position. Although the firm's business strategy was originally to in-license small novel molecules and advance them to a stage where partnering can be assessed, the acquisition of new molecules has led the firm to adapt this strategy according to the stage of the product in development. For one of Xanthus' molecules, this will involve taking the product through clinical trials.

Uniseed Management – Investing in Australia

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Peter Devine, CEO of Uniseed Management, about the origins of the business. He discusses how it began as a US$20 M fund, founded by the Universities of Queensland and Melbourne, to bridge the gap between the Universities’ research and the financial market. He describes how the company has evolved through investment commitment from Westscheme (Western Australia's largest non-government superannuation fund) and the University of New South Wales, along with further investment from the founding Universities. Dr Devine also talks about the criteria used by the company when considering an investment opportunity, as well as discussing a few specific examples of investments made.

Tissue Therapies’ Novel Platform

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Steven Mercer, CEO of Tissue Therapies. They begin with a discussion of the origin of the company, which was established to commercialise research developed at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Steven explains in detail the company’s platform technology, VitroGro®, its application in therapeutics and tissue culture media, and its versatility. The discussion then covers the worldwide sales and distribution agreement that Tissue Therapies made with Invitrogen in 2007, including the revenues that the company is entitled to from Invitrogen. The patent protection that applies to VitroGro is outlined, in particular the broadness of the cover of the family of patents. Steven then talks about a recombinant protein based on VitroGro technology being developed by the company for diabetic venous and pressure ulcers. The interview concludes with his ideas on VitroGro’s commercial potential.

Speedel’s Renin Inhibitor Success Story

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over a year on from their last discussion, Fintan Walton talks to Alice Huxley, CEO of the Swiss biopharmaceutical company Speedel. They look back at the company’s successes during 2007, in particular the launch of its renin inhibitor Tekturna® (aliskiren, SPP100) in the US and Europe. This is not only a first-in-class product, but the first of Speedel’s compounds to reach the market. The company’s plans to develop Tekturna further and to expand within the renin inhibitor field through its other drug candidates are also discussed. Alice goes on to offer an insight into the company’s strategy going forward in terms of whether it plans to in-license products or grow organically, and also talks about what 2008 may hold for Speedel.

Micromet: From Europe to the US: The Transformation of Micromet

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Christian Itin, President and CEO of antibody technology company Micromet. Christian talks about how the company was set up in Munich to address one of the gaps in cancer therapy: treatment of the stage of the disease known as micrometastases. He goes on to describe how the decision to launch an IPO in Europe in 2005 was overturned in favour of entering into a reverse merger agreement with CancerVax, through which Micromet was able to forward integrate into the US and gain a listing on Nasdaq. Christian then discusses in some detail Micromet’s antibody technology and the company’s alliances, including the one with MedImmune and the effect that the ensuing merger with AstraZeneca had on the partnership.

BayBio: Impact of US Presidential Elections on Biotech

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview - filmed at the JP Morgan conference in San Francisco - Fintan Walton and Matt Gardner, President and CEO of BayBio, look back on 2007, beginning with Matt Gardner’s assessment of the biotech industry for the past year. Matt mentions the benchmarks that are used to quantify the state of the industry - which includes the status of the product pipelines of biotech companies. The interview moves on to discuss the key issues facing the biotech industry in light of the run-up to the 2008 US presidential elections. Matt talks about the major issues that one needs to be aware of with regard to the individual presidential candidates. These include their views on healthcare and on patent reform, and Matt says why he thinks the outcome of the patent reform debate is the most sensitive issue. The interview progresses towards examining the decline in venture funding of early-stage and seed companies - and how this may result in a future company ‘gap’. Personalised medicine, and its potential for eventually lowering the cost of healthcare is discussed. The interview concludes with Matt’s optimistic outlook for the industry.

AusBiotech: An Advancing Australia

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Anna Lavelle, CEO of AusBiotech, about how the organisation performs its role as the interface between commerce, research scientists and the federal and state government agencies in Australia. Anna also outlines the progress the Australian biotechnology industry has made and discusses how AusBiotech plans to maintain that trend. The emergence of Australia as a significant player in the industry was reflected in the success of AusBiotech 2007 and Anna goes on to talk about the plans to further improve next year’s conference.

Ablynx’s Success Story: The Past, Present and Future

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Edwin Moses, CEO of Ablynx, about the success that the company has enjoyed since its inception, and his plans for it going forward. Edwin talks about the importance of location in relation to the financing environment, and the difference in the ease of raising cash through an IPO depending upon your location. He also expands upon Ablynx’s commercial strategy in terms of partnering with big pharma, acquiring other technologies, targets and products, and Ablynx’s goal of becoming a fully integrated, independent pharmaceutical company in its own right.

Alchemia: Drug Discovery with a Difference

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Pete Smith, CEO of Alchemia, about the origins of the company in carbohydrate chemistry, and how these origins led to a unique position in the manufacture of fondaparinux through an agreement with Dr Reddy’s. Pete also outlines the hyaluronic acid technology gained through the acquisition of Meditech, and how the company is using this in oncology. Alchemia’s strategic positioning as a drug discovery company that blends rational drug design with random high throughput screening is also discussed.

Stem Cell Sciences: Stem Cell Technologies: The End of the Beginning

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Peter Mountford, formerly CEO of Stem Cell Sciences, about the current state of stem cell technologies and their potential healthcare and research applications. The company is now at the ‘end of the beginning stage’, and has the capability to mass produce stem cells, with which it hopes to provide a range of products and services. The impact of emerging stem cell technologies on ethical concerns is discussed, as well as the likely commercialisation process of the technology. Peter also outlines the challenge in gaining funding for stem cell research, particularly from venture capital firms.

Phylogica: Business Strategy of Australian Biotech

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Dr Stewart Washer, CEO of Phylogica, about the company’s research using its peptide-based drug discovery technology platform. He discusses the challenges faced by an Australian preclinical-stage biotech in obtaining funding, and how Phylogica’s business model aims to do this through both equity financing and deals with other companies. Dr Washer talks about Phylogica’s current collaborations with Johnson & Johnson Research and with Opsona, and how he believes that the interest of bigger pharmas in Phylogica will grow once the company’s compounds are in Phase I/IIa clinical development. Finally, he discusses how Phylogica’s strategy also includes gaining complementary technologies – both disease targets in the area of inflammation and drug delivery technologies – through acquisitions and partnerships.

Merck & Co.: Exclusive Interview

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, live from San Francisco, Fintan Walton talks to Barbara Yanni, Vice President and Chief Licensing Officer at Merck & Co. Although Merck is often perceived as being internally focused and has, historically at least, not been known for doing deals, the company is now fully committed to partnering. Its pipeline is strong, with seven compounds in Phase III, of which three were in-licensed during 2007. Barbara and Fintan discuss the methods that Merck uses to source new licensing opportunities, how it competes with other big pharmas and how its alliances are managed. They also look ahead to what 2008 is likely to bring to the pharma/biotech industry.

KaloBios: The Strategy of an Antibody-Based Company

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Dave Pritchard, CEO of KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, about this antibody-based company, its platform technology and its research programmes. Dave discusses KaloBios’ financing through funding rounds, and its 2007 licensing deal with Novartis. He talks about KaloBios’ plans to raise more money through further partnering, and how the company has also been recently approached by strategic investors, leading to the possibility of an unusual corporate round of funding. Dave also touches on similarities between KaloBios and his last antibody company, Rinat Neuroscience, which was acquired by Pfizer for US$500 M, and mentions the possibility of KaloBios being similarly acquired.

IEDC: Indiana: A Bioscience Centre of Excellence

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this interview, which took place in Brisbane at AusBiotech 2007, Fintan Walton talks to Stephen Patillo and David Boncosky who are both Directors at Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). Stephen and David talk about how IEDC helps companies to establish themselves in the US state of Indiana, and how Stephen runs the overseas office for Australia and New Zealand. They discuss the types of companies typically assisted and highlight Portland Orthopaedics as a good example of one of their clients. The benefits of having operations in Indiana are discussed, including the region’s ‘vibrant biosciences ecosystem’.

GE Healthcare Financial Services: Debt Financing and the Importance of IP

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Marcus O’Neill, VP Life Science Finance at GE Healthcare Financial Services. The topic of this week’s discussion is debt financing, or ‘venture debt’, as it is also known. Marcus talks through the structure of this type of lending, particularly in the case of early-stage companies. He emphasises the need for companies to have backing from good quality venture capital funding, long-term future value and assigned IP, and draws on Astex Therapeutics and Arrow Therapeutics as examples of high-profile recipients of debt financing.

MorphoSys: Novartis’ Latest Antibody Deal - Exclusive TV Interview

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Dr Simon Moroney, Co-Founder and CEO of MorphoSys, in this exclusive TV interview following the company’s US$1 B deal with Novartis on 2 December 2007. The long-term collaboration agreement is focused on MorphoSys’ HuCAL human antibody technology, and has been hailed as a transforming deal for MorphoSys. Dr Moroney talks about the structure of the agreement and how it affects the company’s existing partnerships. He goes on to discuss MorphoSys’ investment in its own pipeline, and how he sees this advancing the company in the future.

McKenna Long & Aldridge: Successful Partnering with the US Government through Funding for Bio-Threat Research and Development

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to John Clerici, a partner in McKenna Long & Aldridge, whose practice is in Public Health Preparedness. This interview covers the funding available from the US Government to commercial companies for the development of technologies to protect public health (such as the prevention of flu pandemics and other viral outbreaks) and bioterrorism. Since 9/11, the US Government has increased its spending on these areas and will partner with companies (US or non-US) to accelerate the development of relevant products. John Clerici also covers what commercial organisations should be aware of in entering into these partnerships, and what they should be aiming for. Executed correctly, partnerships with the US Government can result in a product that benefits both public health and the fight against bioterrorism, and the pharmaceutical or biotech company concerned.

eG Capital: Australian Biotech: A 2007 Perspective from Alison Coutts

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Alison Coutts, Executive Director at eG Capital in Sydney, Australia. Alison reviews some of the major changes she has observed in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry in Australia over the last 12 months, reflecting on the progress that many companies have made and the general maturation of the industry as a whole. She discusses the increasing interest which Australia’s biotech sector is receiving from international pharmaceutical companies and comments on the nature of the relationship which these major players are intent on seeking. Alison also provides a look ahead to 2008 and what it might hold for Australia’s many biotech companies.

Simmons & Simmons: Licensing Deals and Acquisitions: A Legal Insight

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks live from Geneva to Marc Fredj and Richard Wallis, Associates in the Life Sciences Group at Simmons & Simmons. Specifically, the interview gives a legal perspective on licensing and M&As within the life sciences industry. The interview commences with a discussion on a recent Simmons and Simmons report which focuses on trends in the licensing deals and acquisitions that are taking place in the industry. Among the issues discussed is the increase in the number of earlier stage licensing deals. Marc talks about how the bargaining power in structuring a deal is shifting more towards the smaller biotechs, and the reasons why this may be so. The participants discuss how the geography of a licensing deal will, increasingly, incorporate the entire world, rather than a few countries. They also deliberate on the increase in the number of acquisitions involving biotechs, which is a recent trend, and consider the challenges that may arise in such transactions – challenges of which biotechs need to be aware should they partake in an acquisition. The differences between the due diligence carried out for a licensing deal compared with the process for an acquisition deal are discussed, as well as reasons why acquisitions are the more favoured deal type for the moment. Litigation issues in the industry are also covered, followed by a discussion on whether deals are becoming more complex – in terms of both financing and IP.

Johnson & Johnson: Working within a Global Organisation

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Dr Susan Pond, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Research in Australia, about the company’s position in the J&J organisation, and how J&J is one of the few multinational companies that has a bona fide biotechnology discovery presence in Australia. She discusses how the company centres on RNA and DNA research, but also looks for Australian technology that could be of value to J&J globally. Dr Pond also describes the importance of the company’s interaction with local academic organisations, through both collaboration agreements and the joint supervision of PhD students.

Bristol-Myers Squibb: Business Development in a Global Community

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Graham Brazier, Vice President and Head of Business Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), about the world of big pharma business development and the process of in-licensing. Because the interview took place at the AusBiotech 2007 conference, particular reference is made to the importance and challenges of making deals in Australia. Graham also details the rationale between BMS’ collaborations with fellow big pharma companies AstraZeneca and Pfizer, as well as discussing BMS’ acquisition of Adnexus.

Sofinnova Partners: Early-stage VC Investment

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this second exclusive interview live from Geneva, Fintan Walton talks to Graziano Seghezzi, Partner at France-based venture capital (VC) firm Sofinnova Partners. With about half of the firm’s investments placed in the life sciences, Graziano talks about the company’s established and successful, if somewhat unusual, strategy to finance only early-stage companies. Actelion is given as an example of one of its success stories. The discussion moves on to the subject of exit strategies, and whether acquisition is a viable alternative to IPO. Graziano gives his opinion on how the European IPO market is faring at present, as well as how the European biotech sector is doing as a whole and why it has become increasingly attractive to US investors.

Piramed Pharma: The Benefit of Focus

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Khatereh Ahmadi, Business Development Director at the UK biotech Piramed Pharma, about the company’s formation following a collaboration between Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical (now Astellas Pharma), Cancer Research UK, the Institute of Cancer Research and the Ludwig Institute. Khatereh discusses the IP in PI 3-kinases (phosphoinositide 3-kinases) that Piramed gained from that collaboration, and goes on to detail the nature and extent of the company’s collaboration with Genentech. She also outlines the company’s strategy going forward and the challenges faced by early-stage biotechs such as Piramed.

Ganymed Pharma: Strategy for an Anticancer Antibody Therapeutics Company

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Rainer Wessel, CEO of Ganymed Pharma, about the formation of the company and the development of its antibody therapeutics. Dr Wessel discusses the company’s aim of creating products with blockbuster potential that will have an impact on the solid cancer antibody market, and the strategy through which it intends to achieve this. He describes the reasoning behind the April 2004 deal with Genmab in which Ganymed’s GT43 cancer target was out-licensed, as well as the possibility of forming partnerships for the company’s other products once they have shown proof-of-concept in man at Phase II/III, so that value has been created. In addition, Dr Wessel talks about the recent closing of Ganymed’s Series C financing round, plans to float the company in the future, and how acquisition approaches may be considered at some point if the offer is right. Finally, he briefly touches on the current state of biotech in Europe.

Faust Pharmaceuticals: Repurposing, Repositioning and the Route to Market

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this week’s exclusive interview, live from Geneva, Fintan Walton talks to Thomas Seoh, CEO of France’s Faust Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on CNS disorders. Thomas starts by giving some company background, then talks about the way that Faust focuses on three types of compound – repurposed, repositioned and NCE – and about how the company’s strategy is to raise capital from the first two types to fund the third. The discussion covers the company’s two key compounds and recent issues surrounding their development. In particular, Thomas explains how the company’s strategy around its lead Parkinson’s disease compound, FP0011, has changed following the receipt of an unexpected preclinical safety signal, and how Faust is now seeking funding and a partner to take the compound through to Phase IIb and beyond.

Eli Lilly & Co.: Partnering in Europe: Lilly's Take on the Landscape

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, live from Geneva, Fintan Walton talks to Andrew Wood, Executive Director, Global External R&D Europe at Eli Lilly & Co. They start by talking about Andrew’s function within Lilly and the company’s strategy to partner not only within its main areas of therapeutic focus, but also to be open to new opportunities or ‘white space’. They go on to discuss Lilly’s philosophy around R&D, and how current trends in the deal landscape, such as a move towards earlier stage deals and company acquisitions, may affect its partnering activities. Andrew also talks about how the establishment of Lilly’s Alliance Management system has helped the company to be a good and competitive partner. Finally, differences between opportunities in the US and Europe are considered, as well as the challenges facing Andrew and his team going forward.

Oxford Technology Management: Delivering Success from Seed Capital Investment

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Matthew Frohn, Director of Oxford Technology Management about seed capital investment in technology companies. Matthew begins by explaining Oxford Technology Management’s investment strategy to date and the sorts of companies in which he is looking to invest. They discuss the different timelines to commercialisation that affect new companies in different industry sectors, with IT companies more likely to generate revenues in the short-term than life science companies, thus supporting a diversified investment portfolio. The requirements to be successful and to get to the next round of financing are also considered, with Matthew explaining that he looks for milestones that need to be achieved in order to de-risk the technology.

PharmaDeals Research: Outsourcing of Deal Making Analysis

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this special feature interview, Fintan Walton talks with John Wyatt, Head of Commercial Development at PharmaVentures, about PharmaVentures' new service - PharmaDeals Research. John explains that PharmaDeals Research was launched to complement PharmaDeals Agreements in response to frequent customer requests for help with their deal-related research. These requests, John explains, were frequently from licensing executives who were too busy to carry out their own research and were looking for cost-effective information with a rapid turn-around. In particular, the service has been designed to fit between the PharmaDeals Agreements deals database, and the consultancy services offered by PharmaVentures.

They discuss the interest to date, which has ranged from small biotechs who quickly need one-off pieces of research, through to big pharma companies who are looking for retained, out-sourced analytical services.

Novosom: Strategies for a Novel Liposomal Delivery Company

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Elias Papatheodorou, CEO of novosom, about the company’s novel liposomal technology, and the potential applications of this technology. Elias explains how novosom’s liposomes differ from those of competitors, and how the technology could provide an alternative to antibodies in the targeting of CD40 cells. The basis and strategy behind novosom’s agreements with Isis and other companies are also discussed. In addition, Elias talks about novosom’s current financing drive to fund the company’s activities.

BIOCOM: Challenges for Southern Californian Life Sciences Companies

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Ian Wisenberg, SVP of Business Development and CFO of BIOCOM, about the association's role in promoting southern Californian life sciences companies. Mr Wisenberg explains the differences between the life sciences community in northern and southern California. In particular, he emphasises southern California's presence in early-stage drug discovery. The need for capital to maintain the growth of south California's life sciences community is discussed and Mr Wisenberg highlights the success that BIOCOM companies have had in raising capital so far in 2007. The challenge for southern Califorian companies, Mr Wisenberg explains, is for these early-stage discovery companies to make the transition to mature, established companies.

Midatech: The Story of a Nanoparticle Start-Up

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Tom Rademacher, President of Midatech, about the formation of the biotech, Professor Rademacher's fifth start-up company. Tom discusses Midatech's business model, and why a centralised group company structure with three fully owned subsidiaries suited the development of its technology. He also talks in depth about the science behind the company's nanoparticle technology, as well as its applications in therapeutics, diagnostics and surface coatings.

Gene Bridges: Life as a Self-Funded Biotech

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Tim Zeppenfeld, Business Development Manager, Gene Bridges, about life as a self-funded and profitable biotechnology company. Tim tells Fintan about Gene Bridges' Red/ET technology and describes the licensing, fee-for-service and kit distribution business models that the company is following. They discuss Gene Bridge's alliance with BASF, and Tim emphasises the importance of this alliance as a model for an evolving relationship from fee-for-service to a fully blown collaboration. Highlighting Gene Bridge's unusual position as a self-funded and profitable emerging biotechnology company, Tim shares his thoughts on the consolidation of the biotech sector in Germany, and speculates as to Gene Bridges' future strategy.

Borean Pharma: Novel Protein Technology Opens Doors to Danish Biotech Company

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Johanna Holldack, CEO of Borean Pharma. The conversation begins with a discussion on the unique aspects of Borean's proprietary technology, including its scaffold library, which is derived from a human protein, and whose compounds possess features that facilitate the process of their development. Johanna then discusses Borean's current strategy of developing its lead molecules for entry into clinical trials in 2009. The 2006 product acquisition deal between Borean and F. Hoffmann-La Roche is also discussed, and Johanna explains why Roche may have been interested in acquiring one of Borean's lead candidates. The interview then turns towards the state of the biotech industry in Denmark, and how this is backed by innovative research, especially in the field of protein engineering, that is taking place in the Denmark's research institutes and universities. The importance of international investors to small biotech companies is covered, and the interview concludes with Johanna's speculation on whether the company will undergo an IPO or an acquisition.

Novartis Breaks the Biotech/Pharma Divide

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Jeremy Levin, Global Head of Strategic Alliances for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), about the switch in the location of NIBR's headquarters from Switzerland to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jeremy explains Novartis' desire to create a company that combines the innovation of its surrounding biotech community with the established drug discovery and development capabilities of a pharmaceutical company. He also describes the challenges involved in maintaining the 400 collaborations with 120 biotech companies in over 22 countries that Novartis has entered into since 2003. In addition, Jeremy outlines the benefits of fusing the multitude of skills, technologies and capabilities of biotech companies, and discusses the rationale behind Novartis' deal making.

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals: from Discovery to Development

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Arthur Sands, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, about the company's recent name change from Lexicon Genetics and how this signals a shift from drug discovery to clinical development. Dr Sands discusses Lexicon's deals with Genentech and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), and the ways in which the company captures long-term value in these partnerships. Also detailed is the science behind Lexicon's programmes and the strategy going forward as the company moves its first products into clinical development, including the goal of advancing ten drug candidates into human clinical trials by the end of 2010.

Genentech: Driven by Science

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Bingham McCutchen: Foreign Establishment in US Markets

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Brian Beglin, a partner at Bingham McCutchen. The interview begins with a discussion of the strengths of the markets at this present time, of the surge in M&A activity combined with the reduction in company IPOs, and of the appeal for foreign companies to be listed in US markets. It moves on to look at the very active area of PIPES (private investment in public equities), and why this option may be more attractive to non-US companies who are prepared to issue shares to US investors. The increase in available capital to companies with products that are at least in Phase II-Phase IIb development is covered, followed by a more detailed examination of M&A deals, and how these can transition from what may initially have been partnering talks. The issues associated with non-US companies making acquisitions in the US are considered, followed by the strategies that these companies might employ to acquire co-promotion rights in the US. The interview concludes with Brian's prediction for which types of deals will be the primary focus for biotech companies in the coming year.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Restructuring - An Exclusive Interview with Eric de La Fortelle

Tue, 01 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Eric de La Fortelle, Global Head, External Research and Technology, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, about the global restructuring of Roche’s research and development activities, which is due to be implemented on 2 July 2007. Eric explains that Roche has taken the decision to improve its R&D model at a time of strength, when its financial results are proving excellent, in order to adapt to a changing environment in which demands are increasing from both patients and regulators.

In the interview, Eric describes how Roche R&D will be organised into five Disease Biology Areas (DBAs), and how these DBAs will be managed. He also explains the research and development tensions that can be resolved by this new model. Just how these changes will affect partnering with Roche is discussed as well, highlighting the integrated role that the Roche Pharma Partnering group, to be led by the incoming Dan Zabrowski, will have with the new DBAs.

Oxford BioMedica: Vector Value: An Interview with Nick Woolf, SVP Corporate Strategy

Tue, 01 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Nick Woolf, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Oxford BioMedica, about the company’s ongoing success as it moves toward its ultimate goal of becoming a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company. They review the company’s history and the finances that have been raised since its successful public listing on AIM in 1996. Together, they discuss the challenges of operating within the gene therapy space, and how Oxford BioMedica has leveraged value from its viral vector technology through deal making. Nick also talks about Oxford BioMedica’s recent acquisition of Oxxon Therapeutics, and the landmark deal the company has signed with global giant sanofi-aventis to complete the development of its lead product, the cancer vaccine TroVax®.

BIO: Issues and Threats Facing the Biotechnology Industry

Tue, 01 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this interview, Fintan Walton talks to Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), about the issues and threats facing the biotechnology industry today. Jim begins by referring to the large number of delegates at the BIO International Convention and how this reflects on the growth of the biotech industry as a whole. He then discusses the impact of the Democrat majority in the US House of Representatives and Senate on the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. The challenges that BIO faces in changing the somewhat negative public perception of the biotech and pharma industry – and in making the public understand why drugs can be so expensive – are also considered. The interview then moves on to the subject of the recent increase in company acquisitions, and why this is beneficial to both small innovative companies, and to global pharma companies. Among other things, Fintan and Jim also talk about the trend in outsourcing to India and China, the move by academics towards more commercially viable research, and the drop in drug prices that will undoubtedly happen. The interview ends with Jim’s vision for the future, with particular reference to the enormous potential of RNAi technology to the industry

The Pharmaceutical Outlook for 2007 - A US Perspective

Tue, 01 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT

This week, Fintan Walton seeks the opinions of Tom Quinlan, Partner at Reed Smith, and Matthew Gardner, President at BayBio, on the state of the industry in 2006 and how they see 2007 developing. Initially, the panelists discuss the high number and differing types of deals that took place in 2006, and consider how they expect this to continue in the foreseeable future and the drivers behind this. Also covered is the impact of company acquisitions and the effect these have on their local regions, with Matthew giving examples specific to Northern California. The debate moves on to the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2006 and the potential opening up of the market in 2007 due to the expected loosening of restrictions and the opportunities that may arise from this. Further topics include patent infringement issues, specifically the MedImmune v. Genentech case, and the impact of the US Democrats being the majority party in the US Senate as well as in the House of Representatives. The discussion closes with both Matthew and Tom giving their predictions for 2007.

NicOx: The Rise of NicOx: An Interview with Damian Marron, VP Corporate Development

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Damian Marron, Vice President, Corporate Development, NicOx, about the company's achievements to date - from Italian origins, it developed into a rare French biopharmaceutical success story, raising some of the largest capital sums in Europe. Damian discusses NicOx's strategy with regards to attracting investors, choice of stock exchange and the rationale behind its partner selection. Also outlined are the company's objectives, ranging from its plans for the next 12 months to its long term aims regarding its conversion to a partially integrated pharmaceutical company.

Celltech: The Three Ways of Getting Things Done

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In this second interview of a two-part series, Fintan Walton talks to Gerard Fairtlough, founder & former CEO of Celltech, about his views regarding the alternatives to hierarchy within innovative companies.

Gerard explains that most people consider that hierarchy is required to make large organisations work effectively and that when things are not going as planned, it is usually the top of the hierarchy that is changed, be that the CEO of a pharmaceutical company or the manager of a football club. However, what Gerard proposes is that the best environment to manage an entrepreneurial organisation requires one of the “Three Ways of Getting Things Done” – (1) hierarchy, (2) heterarchy or (3) responsible autonomy. Gerard argues that the pharmaceutical industry needs to copy the biotech ethos, and use independent units, with little bureaucratic control, to achieve defined tasks. In order for companies to take full advantage of industry globalisation, organisations of all sizes should look towards heterarchy.

Celltech: The Birth of the European Biotechnology Industry

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

This month, Fintan Walton talks to Gerard Fairtlough, founder & former CEO of Celltech, about the story behind the company and the drivers that enabled Celltech to establish itself as the Europe’s first biotechnology company.

Gerard explains that balancing the pressures of profitability and innovation were key factors of Celltech’s success. At that time investors weren’t accustomed to biotechnology companies going through several rounds of financing; therefore, the company used manufacturing as a means of financing its projects. Alongside the issue of profitability, the company was frequently asked to work on new ventures. However, it had to be careful about what was taken on in order to maintain focus. Collaborations played a significant part of the firm’s growth, providing money, enhancing skills and building a reputation.

BioXcel Corporation: India, an increasingly important role in the Life Science Business

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

The Pharmaceutical Outlook for 2007 - An EU Perspective

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Jeremy Curnock Cook, Bioscience Managers, John Wilkinson, Reed Smith, and Jim McCarthy, PharmaVentures, about the state of the industry in 2006 and what’s likely to happen in 2007. The panellists start by discussing how 2006 saw significant funds transferring from pharma to biotech companies, with numerous mergers and acquisitions, and the establishment of many corporate relationships. The IPO market remains a challenge, and biotech CEOs are looking increasingly for alternative ways into the market. The experts discuss why this is the case, the alternative approaches being taken and the impact that this has on deal value. Discussion surrounding the business model of family-run pharma companies is included, as is the trend for more complex deals, which rely greatly on good relationship management after a transaction has been completed. To find out what the panellists predict for 2007, watch the interview.

ZymoGenetics: Insulin & Innovation: The Story

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This month, Fintan Walton, talks to Bruce Carter, CEO of ZymoGenetics, about the story behind the development and growth of ZymoGenetics. He discusses the company’s fascinating 26-year history and its worldwide impact on insulin. The interview also covers the factors influencing successful innovation and the implications of big pharma working with, or acquiring, biotechs.

Bruce describes the significant role that Novo Nordisk played in ZymoGenetics’ position today, explaining that ZymoGenetics, although successful scientifically, was in managerial disarray. The company was led by six presidents in just five years, resulting in the business being starved of capital. Novo Nordisk acquired the company in 1988 and divested it 12 years later. Bruce also gives his view on how big pharmaceutical companies should approach acquiring a biotechnology company. Using the analogy of choosing a spouse, Bruce argues that, if you initially find something attractive, do not set out to change that.

Fintan also questions Bruce on what he thinks is the best culture for innovation, to which Bruce responds that naivety is key. For example, he argues that bureaucracy is not the real reason why innovation is more difficult in a large pharma company, rather that, because they are so big, there is always someone, somewhere who has a perfectly rational reason for why something will not work. Finally, Bruce outlines ZymoGenetics’ future, with regards to therapy area and potential acquisitions.

Sareum and Structure: An Interview with Tim Mitchell, CEO

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Tim Mitchell, CEO, Sareum, about founding the company with David Williams and John Reader, as a spin-out from Millennium Pharmaceuticals' Structure-based Discovery Department. Tim explains how the company's success is based on the excellent track record and relationships the management established at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and at Cambridge Discovery Chemistry and the efficient structure-based drug discovery services they have refined over the years.

Ipso Ventures

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Simon Hunt and Nick Rodgers, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive of Ipso Ventures, about founding their company in 2005 and their business model for the future. Simon and Nick explain how they set up the firm to capitalise on their background in venture capital and investment banking. With their prior experience, the founders have identified the need to reduce risk in early stage companies, such as university spin-outs. By establishing relationships with universities that have good commercialisable IP they aim to add value and build stronger businesses. The company’s first deal is with Loughborough University, which has a successful track record in spin-out formation.

Ipso Ventures are also investing in a range of university spin-outs, in the hope that these will build further relationships with academic institutions. To date, Ipso Ventures has invested in technologies from Imperial College, London, The School of Pharmacy, London and Oxford Brookes University. Ipso Ventures’ plan for the future includes establishing up to eight relationships with universities within three years. By spreading their risk across a range of companies, they have an opportunity to add value, while further building their own business.

Implicit Bioscience: Accelerating Value Creation in Biotech Firms

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Dick Haiduck about his work with Implicit Bioscience, Cytopia and others, and his ‘partner to CEO’ service. Dick describes these two different companies - both based in Australia - and their product offerings. The companies are at different stages of development, and therefore have different requirements: Implicit Bioscience is focused on immunology-based drug development, while Cytopia focuses on JAK (Just Another Kinase) inhibitors for cancer treatment. A third company that Dick works with focuses on a point-of-care hydration measurement tool.

Dick, who is CEO of Implicit Bioscience, US Operations, talks about the founding of the firm in 2004; this was based on the principle that quality people are critical to driving success. The company’s business model, which initially involved acquiring assets to a compound previously tested for a different indication, and exploring how new technology can overcome the problems encountered during clinical development, is particularly interesting.

Following a brief discussion of Dick’s industry experience, Fintan asks him about the biotech landscape today, the trend of pharma buying up biotech firms and access to capital for firms. Despite the challenges that the industry faces, Dick assures us that the combination of entrepreneurship and good science in the US are irrepressible, and that these will, inevitably lead to success, even if CEOs have to become increasingly creative.

Synosia Therapeutics: Roche-Synosia Deal - Birth of an Innovative Business Strategy

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton, CEO of PharmaVentures, talks to Tom Woiwode, VP Business Development & Strategy, Synosia Therapeutics about the unique business model behind the creation and launch of the company in January 2007 before the name change to Synosia. They discuss how Synosia have secured a five-product portfolio of potential CNS therapeutics from Roche's development pipeline and raised US$32 million in seed and series A financing. Tom outlines how Brad Bolzon, Managing Director of Versant Ventures (the founding investor in Synosia) and previously Executive VP, Global Head of Business Development, Licensing & Alliances with F. Hoffmann-La Roche, developed the ideas behind the creation of Synosia. Brad, also Chairman of the Board for Synosia, managed the creation of the firm from inception to launch. In this special interview, the company's business plan is reviewed, as is the firm's overall development going forward. This includes Synosia's intention to take some of their products all the way to launch by developing their own sales and marketing capabilities.

Nektar Therapeutics: Inhaling Success: An Interview with John Patton, CSO and Co-founder

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to John Patton, CSO and Co-founder of Nektar Therapeutics about the challenges he faced in setting up the firm and the company’s success to date. John describes how his research at Genentech on inhaled proteins prompted him to set up Nektar (then Inhale Therapeutic Systems), and discusses the resistance he faced from traditional players in the diabetes market when seeking partners.

Since its deals with GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer in 2004 - both for Nektar’s PEGylation technology - and its subsequent acquisition of Aerogen, the 1.3billion-dollar company has gone from strength to strength. John outlines the business strategy for Nektar going forward and also discusses the company’s product pipeline.

Glide Pharma: The Transition from Drug Delivery to Specialty

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Charles Potter, CEO, Glide Pharma, about inventing the Glide technology and his subsequent setting up of Glide Pharmaceutical Technologies. After covering Charles’ experience at PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, Fintan and Charles discuss how the company, originally set up as the drug delivery firm Caretek Medical, evolved into a specialty pharmaceutical company. Today, Glide Pharma has three generic products in its pipeline, in addition to partnerships that include one with a top five pharmaceutical company. These applications of the Glide technology have been applied only to products already available on the market, but this may change as the company moves forward.

Glide’s financial backing includes support from Oxford Venture Capital Trust and other local business angels. Impressively, the last equity financing closed just 4 weeks after the business plans were sent out! Glide is obviously in a good position at the moment, and expects to raise further finance after completing some internal company milestones. The opportunities for Glide at the moment are enormous. In addition to it own products and partnerships, the company’s technology patent also permits it application to medical devices. For the time being, however, Glide intends to focus its efforts on its current projects.

Johnson & Johnson: Fintan Walton talks to Rob Wills

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Rob Wills, VP Alliance Management, Pharmaceuticals Group, Johnson & Johnson, about the development of the Alliance Management group since its establishment in 2001. Rob outlines the need for superior capabilities in this area of the business in order to cope with increases in deal complexity in recent years.

They ask the important question ‘What isn't alliance management?' and discuss the use of metrics for determining alliance success. Rob also outlines the expectations that Johnson & Johnson have from potential partners in terms of committing resources to the alliance management process and reveals what triggers the alliance management team to become involved in the negotiation process.

PharmaTelevision: The Story So Far

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In an interview with Ann Salter, Fintan Walton, CEO, PharmaVentures, looks back at the successful creation of PharmaVentures Business Review and discusses its growth and development since its launch in May 2006. He highlights the aims and strategy surrounding the formation of PharmaTelevision and outlines his plans to expand and develop the concept in 2007, with the addition of new channels and even more content.

Meet the Experts Special: Biotech in Australia and New Zealand

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this ‘Meet the Experts’ special, Fintan Walton is joined on the panel by Colin Dawson, CEO of Otago Innovation and David Williams, CEO of Chemeq. Together, they discuss a variety of important issues that face the biotechnology industry in Australia and New Zealand. They talk about the current climate for early-stage financing of start-up companies and the problems that many companies have when they enter the public markets via the ASX. They also talk about the bidirectional opportunities for partnering Australian or New Zealand companies with their European, US and South-East Asian counterparts.

Meet the Experts: Industry Experts in Discussion on Technology Transfer

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This month, Fintan Walton leads our panel of industry experts in a discussion about technology transfer and the creation of start-up companies based on university IP. They review the key issues that face companies such as CRT, MRC Technology and Ipso Ventures in the drive to generate commercial value from academic innovation. They discuss the importance of the selection procedure when trying to identify suitable partners, and the need to engage the industry on a global scale. They also investigate some of the alternative funding options that technology transfer organisations are employing to overcome the current risk-averse biotech investment community.

Speedel: Dr Alice Huxley, CEO & President

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Alice Huxley talks to Fintan Walton about setting up Speedel and her motivations for doing so, following the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996 to create Novartis. They discuss the company's drug development programmes and how its lead compound is nearing launch. Dr Huxley also reviews the company’s business strategy and the important balance between collaborative R&D and in-house development. Finally, she outlines the reasoning behind the decision to float Speedel on the Swiss stock exchange and discusses what the future might hold for the small biotechnology company.

BayBio: Matthew Gardner, President

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

To coincide with the launch of the 2007 BayBio:IMPACT report, Matthew Gardner, President of BayBio, Northern California's Life Science Trade Association, talks to Fintan Walton about the role that BayBio plays in serving the life sciences industry in the Bay area of Northern California – the birthplace of the biotech industry. BayBio has 300 member companies, and Matthew outlines the features of this community that have contributed to its successful development. With approximately 370 products in Phase II and III development, and many new products coming to market, the biotech companies in the region are entering an exciting and challenging era in which, after 30 years of research, they are hoping to capitalise on their past success.

Zogenix: Stephen Farr, President & COO, and Jonathan Rigby, VP Business Development

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Stephen Farr and Jonathan Rigby, two members of Zogenix's founding team, talk to Fintan Walton about setting up the company and the novel, needle-free injection technology platform on which it is based. They discuss Zogenix's business model for becoming a speciality pharmaceutical company and outline their plan to drive their lead product to an NDA filing. Stephen and Jonathan provide an overview of the Intraject® technology and of the company's plan to form strategic partnerships in order to produce novel products and add value to existing therapies. Zogenix's plan to develop its own specialist sales force for the US market as well as its intention to seek a co-promotion partner for entrance into Europe are also covered.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Alliance Management: An Exclusive Interview

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton talks to Eric de La Fortelle, Global Head, External Research and Technology, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, about his role within the Pharma Partnering Group at Roche. Eric outlines the structure of the Pharma Partnering Group and Roche's overall model for alliance management. The discussion covers Roche's long-term alliance with MorphoSys and the integrated approach that has allowed the companies to harness both science and business, and develop and maintain a successful alliance. Eric also highlights the importance of flexibility in management strategy when assessing alliance candidates and gives an overview of what Roche looks for in a potential partner.

MorphoSys: Dr Simon Moroney, CEO

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Simon Moroney talks to Fintan Walton about the founding and history of MorphoSys, its alliance management model and the challenges of maintaining successful partnerships in parallel with internal drug development programmes. They discuss MorphoSys' long-term strategic partnership with Roche and the rewards that the relationship has brought both companies, as well as the company's strategy going forward. Dr Moroney also outlines MorphoSys’ drug development programme and the strategic reasoning behind the company’s decision to drive growth by business acquisitions in the US. Finally, the impact that the recent consolidation of mid-sized German pharmaceutical companies might have on MorphoSys ongoing scheme of operations is discussed.

Biota: Peter Cook, CEO and Managing Director

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Cook talks to Fintan Walton about Biota's ongoing business strategy and drug development programmes. Mr Cook discusses the various challenges that biotech companies must face in order to remain successful, including the necessity to balance diversification and specialisation, and the risks and rewards of raising capital in overseas markets. They also talk about Biota's success with Relenza™ and the ongoing management of its relationship with GlaxoSmithKline, as well the licensing of Biota's lead RSV compound to MedImmune.

AstraZeneca: Rob Hockney, Director of Alliance Management, Global Discovery Alliances

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Rob Hockney talks to Fintan Walton about the ongoing evolution of AstraZeneca's alliance management strategy and capabilities, and the increasingly important role that dedicated alliance management plays in the drug development process for big pharma and small biotech companies alike. Rob emphasises the need for flexibility when developing an alliance management strategy and the importance of dialogue between partnering companies. Together, they examine the different metrics by which to measure alliance success and consider how termination does not have to be the end of a potentially profitable relationship. They also discuss the characteristics of an alliance that enables first-class management to make a value-generating difference. In addition, Rob highlights the essential role that alliance management plays in bridging the gap between companies with big differences in size and culture.

Meet the Experts: Discussion on Early-Stage Financing of Biotech Companies in Europe

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton leads our panel of industry experts in an in-depth discussion about the early-stage financing of biotech companies in Europe. With viewpoints from both financial and biotech companies, our panellists provide a refreshing perspective on the current issues that face would-be CEOs, trying to secure seed capital in Europe's biotech start-up arena.

Simcere Pharmaceuticals: Dr H Ming Pang, Head of International Business

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Pang talks to Fintan Walton about biotechnology trends in China. He examines what the Chinese pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry has to offer the global market, discusses the opportunities in China and presents his thoughts on the challenges that this region faces. The discussion provides an in-depth analysis and informative overview of this emergent territory, which has lately been the subject of much attention.

Galapagos: Onno van de Stolpe, CEO

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Onno van de Stolpe talks to Fintan Walton, about Galapagos' current business model and overall strategic outlook. They discuss the integration of BioFocus following its acquisition by Galapagos in November 2005, as well as the more recent acquisition of the drug discovery service division of Discovery Partners International. Onno talks in detail about managing Galapagos' strategic osteoarthritis alliance with GlaxoSmithKline and the challenges the company now faces as it expands its operations across the globe.

Evotec: Dr Mark Ashton, Executive Vice President Business Development

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Mark Ashton talks to Fintan Walton about Evotec's evolving business model, which is based on both contract research services and proprietary research in the CNS field. In particular, they discuss Evotec's successful alliance history with Roche that dates back to 2001. Dr Ashton talks in depth about the terms of these risk-sharing agreements and how they are managed. He also offers an insight into Evotec's future strategic plans.

Archimedes Pharma: Richard de Souza, Chief Executive Officer

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Richard de Souza talks to Fintan Walton about Archimedes Pharma's unique business and funding model. Mr de Souza gives an insight into how the company's experienced management team was put in place and its proposed time-scales for becoming cash positive. Other aspects of Archimedes' business strategy are also discussed, including the company's aim to effect business acquisitions in the five major European markets.

Meet the Experts: Discussion on Deal Making in Oncology

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton leads this month's expert panel discussion on the topic of oncology deal making. The panel explores the issues facing big pharma and small biotech and the alliance strategies they employ to ensure that new products and innovation are delivered to serve areas of unmet clinical need in cancer therapeutics.

Meet the Experts: Discussion About Deal Valuation

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:00:00 GMT

This month, Fintan Walton leads our expert panel in a discussion about deal valuation, further exploring the risks and benefits associated with the different methodologies outlined in the business report.

ZymoGenetics: 25 Years Young: An Interview with Bruce Carter, President and CEO

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton, CEO of PharmaVentures, talks exclusively to Bruce Carter, President and CEO of ZymoGenetics, a company that celebrated its 25th anniversary on 22 June 2006. Bruce discusses a number of aspects of ZymoGenetics' operations, including its relationship with previous owners Novo Nordisk, its alliance with Serono and its drug development model. Bruce also shares his views and advice on biotech acquisitions and the key characteristics of a successful biotech CEO.

Meet the Experts: Discussion About IPOs in the Biotech Industry

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 23:00:00 GMT

Fintan Walton, CEO PharmaVentures, leads this month's international panel in a discussion about IPOs in the biotech industry, drawing on the wide-ranging experiences of our experts to address the practical realities that face companies hoping to enter the public market, and the options available for them to do so. Topics covered include current IPO market conditions in Europe, alternative IPO launch strategies and the knock-on effects that changes in the IPO market could have on early-stage funding.