Almac Group wishes to congratulate its long-term client partner Amicus Therapeutics on receiving the European approval of its first orphan drug product and precision medicine Galafold™ (migalastat, also referred to as AT1001).

Galafold was approved as a first line therapy for long-term treatment of adults and adolescents (aged 16 years and older) with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease (alpha-galactosidase A deficiency) and who have an amenable mutation.

The Almac / Amicus partnership began in 2009 when Amicus sought an outsourcing partner for Phase III clinical manufacture and packaging of its solid oral AT1001 compound. Almac’s pharmaceutical development and clinical teams worked with Amicus to advance the drug product through scale up, registration and now onwards into the commercial supply. Almac is manufacturing and packaging the drug product and supporting Galafold’s launch across Europe from its UK Headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Leveraging the Almac advantage of integrated development and commercial services ensured a smooth transition from development to commercialisation for Amicus. Utilising the experience of Almac’s multidisciplinary product launch team, incorporating quality, packaging design, regulatory and distribution, aided Amicus in navigating EU market requirements. Upon marketing authorisation (MA), Galafold was packed and distributed to the German market within hours ensuring patients’ needs were met as quickly as possible.

David Downey, Vice President, Commercial Operations at Almac commented: “It’s great to see the launch of this precision medicine addressing a debilitating unmet medical need and it is gratifying to have played our part in its development and commercialisation.

“Amicus drew upon many of the services Almac has to offer, from development, through clinic, and into commercialisation. We look forward to a growing partnership as Amicus services the needs of the Fabry patient population who have an amenable mutation.”

Senior vice-president of technical operations at Amicus Therapeutics Enrique Dilone said: “Providing quality drug product and sufficient drug supply is critical to ensuring a successful launch of Galafold for Fabry patients who have an amenable mutation.

“Almac has been an outstanding outsourcing partner for Amicus and we look forward to continuing the relationship as Galafold becomes available across the EU.”