Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (SOBI) will now take up the exclusive distribution rights in these countries, extending its territories for Ruconest to all European Union countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
Rhucin (INN conestat alfa), a recombinant version of the human protein C1 inhibitor (C1INH), is produced through Pharming’s proprietary technology in milk of transgenic rabbits.
In Europe the drug is approved under the name Ruconest for treatment of acute angioedema attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).
Rhucin has been granted orphan drug designation in the US for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE.
Pharming CEO Sijmen de Vries said in addition to the new territories in the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East announced earlier this month, SOBI now has exclusive rights for the commercialization of Ruconest (recombinant human C1 inhibitor) for the treatment of acute angioedema attacks in patients with HAE in all European markets where the product has received market authorization through central European approval.