9 new members join EUCOPE network in October 2023

The European Confederation of Pharmaceuticals Entrepreneurs (EUCOPE) announced the joining of 9 new members at its quarterly Members Meeting on October 18th, 2023 following Board approval. The new members joining the EUCOPE network are Angelini Pharma, Dipharma, Italfarmaco, Labcorp, Metriopharm AG, Otsuka, Pharming Group, Pharvaris and Vivactis HM3A.

During the announcement, EUCOPE’s Secretary General Alexander Natz said, “We’re excited to welcome these new members, in a moment when partnership and collaboration are needed to navigate the complex EU biopharmaceutical environment. Our latest members demonstrate that smaller companies are still the key drivers of life science innovation within the EU and the world and we are proud to give them a bigger voice within the EU and its Member States.” 

Learn more about the new members below.

 

Angelini Pharma

Angelini Pharma is an international pharmaceutical company and part of the privately owned multi-business Angelini Industries. The Company researches, develops and commercializes health solutions with a focus on the areas of Brain Health, including Mental Health and Epilepsy, and Consumer Health. Founded in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century, Angelini Pharma operates directly in 20 countries, employing more than 3,000 people. Its products are marketed in over 70 countries through strategic alliances with leading international pharmaceutical groups.

Angela Esposito, Head of Global RA Policy & Strategy said: “We share EUCOPE mission & values, and we feel that we can give our contribution, leveraging on our expertise and capabilities, to make the voice of Pharma Companies heard at EU Level mainly in a period of unprecedented changes in the Legislative landscape as the one we are currently living. At Angelini Pharma we truly believe in innovation and in the power of R&D to ensure patients get access to the right treatments addressing huge unmet medical needs still present in many therapeutic areas. We can take advantage and become stronger together, sharing experiences and best practices, to advance innovation and drive competitiveness in EU for the benefit of the patients. For all these reasons we ask to join EUCOPE that for Angelini Pharma will be the first EU Pharma Membership”.

 

Dipharma SA

Dipharma SA is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company, developing high quality, improved, medicines for rare diseases. Dipharma SA is part of a third-generation group of family-owned companies that have grown to a global presence. With a portfolio of generic orphan products for the treatment of Hyperphenylalaninemia, Gaucher Disease, Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1, Urea Cycle Disorders and others, Dipharma SA provides improved solutions for patients affected by inborn metabolic diseases at an affordable cost and with a global reach.

Dr. Wolfgang Meixner, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance said: “As a mid-sized company, Dipharma joined EUCOPE to get access to updates about foreseen changes in the regulatory framework, market access conditions, and the area of orphan medicinal products issues. We appreciate the possibility of participating in working groups, focus groups and task forces to share experiences between companies and to learn from each other. Operating in the field of orphan drugs and rare diseases with the scope of offering improved health solutions for patients at an affordable cost, we are happy to participate in public consultations and developing position papers.”

 

Italfarmaco

Italfarmaco is a privately-held, European specialty pharmaceutical company, engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of branded prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical products in cardiovascular & thrombosis, oncology / supportive care, CNS, bone metabolism and women’s health segments.

Founded in 1938, Italfarmaco in Europe operates through its own subsidiaries in most of southern Europe (Italy HQ, Spain, Portugal, Greece), France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Nordic Countries.

Dr Andreas Kress, Business Unit Lead Rare Disease DACH said: “Italfarmaco joined EUCOPE to use its platform and expertise to shape the health political environment and improve the conditions for innovative products in Europe. We expect practical support in navigating regulatory and market access procedures.”

 

Metriopharm AG

MetrioPharm AG is a private, clinical-stage biotech company focused on therapies for inflammatory and infectious diseases. MetrioPharm targets the modulation of immune metabolism with first-in-class self-regulating drug candidates. Based on their core technology, they have created a diversified pipeline of disease-specific drug combinations to target inflammatory, autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Pre-clinical and clinical efficacy data have been obtained in Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Sepsis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psoriasis. The company is currently also exploring the orphan indication Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Thomas Christély, Chief Executive Officer said: “We joined EUCOPE because we believe that drug developers need a voice at EU Commission/EMA level to improve and influence the European strategy and framework for pharma/biotech drug development and to close the gaps with the US framework. In addition, we look forward to participating in some of the working groups to broaden our perspectives on various issues.”

 

Pharming Group

Pharming Group N.V. (EURONEXT Amsterdam: PHARM/Nasdaq: PHAR) is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with rare, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases. Pharming is commercializing and developing an innovative portfolio of protein replacement therapies and precision medicines, including small molecules, biologics, and gene therapies that are in early to late-stage development. Pharming is headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands, and has employees around the globe who serve patients in over 30 markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Paul Ledger, Senior Vice President and Regional Director – Europe, APAC, MENA, LATAM said: “Pharming joined EUCOPE to be part of a Trade body with other like-minded companies to support Pharming’s mission to transform the lives of patients with rare, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases. EUCOPE’s expertise in the legal landscape, public policy and government affairs across Europe provides an invaluable resource to small and mid-sized companies like Pharming to achieve its corporate goals.”

 

Vivactis HM3A

Vivactis HM3A is a consultancy agency specialized in market access and health economics for pharmaceuticals, biotechnological products, medical devices and digital health, diagnostics, vaccines, and nutrinomics. We can support EU and international market launches.

For each project we can assign a custom project team with relevant expertise. Our team includes physicians, pharmacists, science PhDs and health economists with a track record at pharmaceutical/medical device companies, within healthcare authorities, and as practicing healthcare providers.

Marc Czarka, General Manager said ‘‘We are excited to connect with the EUCOPE members, discussing the opportunities and challenges in the European life sciences sector. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge about market access and health economics.”

 

Pharvaris N.V.

Pharvaris N.V. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with offices in Leiden, the Netherlands, and in the U.S., which is focused on developing novel, oral bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists to treat and prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. Pharvaris was founded in October 2015 by executives with a breadth of expertise across pharmaceutical development and rare disorders, including HAE. Pharvaris is currently in mid-stage clinical development of deucrictibant, a small molecule that is distinctly formulated as an immediate-release capsule or an extended-release tablet to optimally address unmet needs of on-demand and prophylactic treatment of HAE attacks, respectively.

Wim Souverijns, Chief Community Engagement and Commercial Officer said ”Pharvaris aspires to improve the lives of people living with HAE by engaging and partnering with the broader HAE community in the development of novel, oral alternatives to the standard of care. This collaborative approach aligns with EUCOPE’s mission, and we look forward to partnering with the Organization—particularly leveraging their expertise and insights into navigating EU policies, legislation, and market access—to provide access to innovative therapies as expeditiously as possible.”

 

Otsuka

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: “Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.” Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative products, focusing on pharmaceutical products to meet unmet medical needs and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health. In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leader in the challenging area of mental health and also has research programs in several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue.

Otsuka Europe employs around 550 people and focuses on psychiatric and neurologic disorders, infectious disease, nephrology, oncology, and digital medicines. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd. is a part of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

The Otsuka group of companies employed 47,000 people worldwide with consolidated sales of approximately €12.4 billion and a spend of €1.67 billion on research and development in 2022.

 

EUCOPE is happy to have these innovative smaller companies join the network and looks forward to greater collaboration during this important year and more to continue improving and saving the lives of European patients through innovative therapies and medical technology.

 

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For more information about EUCOPE membership

Visit our Benefits of Membership Page, or schedule an introductory call with our Office Manager Saskia Jansen (jansen@eucope.org).