The success of gastrointestinal drug pantoprazole has turned mid-sized Altana into one of Europe's fastest growing pharmaceutical companies. By re-investing the proceeds from pantoprazole into its own R&D, Altana now has two late-stage follow-ons--ciclesonide and roflumilast--with similar potential to pantoprazole. Rather than simply out-licensing these compounds to larger players, Altana wants a more active role alongside its partners in marketing and selling its own drugs, hoping thereby to establish itself internationally.
by Melanie Senior
While most established Big Pharma worry about pricing, R&D productivity and patent expiries, mid-sized Byk Gulden—the pharmaceuticals business of Altana...
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