The establishment of a US-based R&D and commercial operation represents attainment of one of the Helsinn Group’s corporate strategic goals. Helsinn has appointed Franco Vecchi, who is already a member of Helsinn Holding’s board, to become chairman and president of Helsinn Therapeutics (US) Inc to manage all of the existing staff who will be maintained and strengthened.
This acquisition will give the Helsinn Group access to anamorelin, a therapy for the treatment of cancer cachexia; ipamorelin, for the iv treatment of post operative ileus, the impairment of bowel motility following surgery, an unmet medical need (Phase II) and ST-1141, a new oral compound, for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (Phase I).
The acquisition will have a direct, positive impact on the Helsinn Group since the production of Helsinn Therapeutics (US) Inc products will be manufactured in Helsinn’s high standard quality manufacturing facilities in Switzerland which operate according to EU and the FDA health and environmental requirements.
Riccardo Braglia, CEO of the Helsinn Group, said: The acquisition of Sapphire Therapeutics will also allow us to expand our current pipeline of products in existing, focused therapeutic areas, in particular in cancer supportive care. This is a major step forward for the growth of Helsinn into the future with the new subsidiary Helsinn Therapeutics (US) Inc.