OM Pharma and AstraZeneca enter into strategic collaboration to expand presence in respiratory and immunology fields in China

OM Pharma and AstraZeneca enter into strategic collaboration to expand presence in respiratory and immunology fields in China

OM Pharma enters into a strategic collaboration agreement granting AstraZeneca the exclusive right to import and distribute the immunological therapy Broncho-Vaxom^® for the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan).

Meyrin/Geneva, Switzerland, 6 November 2020 – OM Pharma and AstraZeneca celebrated their strategic collaboration agreement today at a partnership signing ceremony in Shanghai.

The strategic collaboration agreement grants AstraZeneca the exclusive right to import, distribute and promote OM Pharma’s Broncho-Vaxom^® (Bacterial Lysates - OM-85) in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). Broncho-Vaxom^® is a therapeutic agent that effectively prevents and treats recurrent or acute respiratory infections in adult and pediatric patients by boosting the host immunity. In China, recurrent respiratory tract infection is a common disease in pediatrics, with an incidence rate of about 20%.^[1] The prevalence of COPD among people over 40 years old is 8.2%.^[2] The acute exacerbation of COPD occurs about 0.5 to 3.5 times per year, and is an important factor in COPD deaths.^[3]

This long-term collaboration will fully leverage both parties’ expertise and provide more effective treatment options for patients in China. The safety profile and clinical benefits of Broncho-Vaxom^® have been proven by a large body of clinical evidence.^[4] China ’Consensus of Management of Children with RRTI’ strongly recommends bacterial lysates as a cost-effective prevention of RRTI in children.^[5]

Josef Troxler, CEO of OM Pharma, commented: “Broncho-Vaxom^® is one of OM Pharma’s flagship products. The product has been used for a long time in clinical settings for the prevention of respiratory infections and immunological conditions. This highly synergistic collaboration between OM Pharma and AstraZeneca will improve the accessibility of Broncho-Vaxom^®, accelerate the product’s growth in the Chinese market, and further solidify OM Pharma’s lead in the field of respiratory diseases and immunological therapies.”

Michael Lai, General Manager of AstraZeneca China, said: “AstraZeneca has been deeply rooted in China for 27 years. Staying true to our patient-centric mission, we continue to focus our efforts on the therapeutic areas with the most urgent medical needs and on providing high quality medicines for patients. Respiratory & Immunology are key areas of focus for AstraZeneca China. We hope to broaden and deepen the market penetration of Broncho-Vaxom^® to improve the health of more patients in need.”

This agreement marks yet another strategic collaboration with a global pharmaceutical company, demonstrating OM Pharma’s capacity to expand geographically. This further underlines OM Pharma‘s ability to become a world-leading biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients with respiratory and inflammatory diseases around the world.

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About OM Pharma

OM Pharma is a global Geneva-based biopharmaceutical company. It is a leader in the prevention of recurrent respiratory and urinary tract infections and is also active in the treatment of vascular diseases. It operates worldwide through a strong network of international partners and continues to invest into R&D to develop microbial derived immunotherapeutic products addressing acute and chronic immunological disorders resulting from infections and inflammation. OM Pharma is operating to highest Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards which rely on a high level of Biotech competencies and experienced teams. The company strives to help patients around the world to live better lives by allowing access to a better management of immunological imbalances.

For more information, please visit: Company website

About Broncho-Vaxom^®

Broncho-Vaxom^® is an extract of different bacterial species used for the prevention of recurrent respiratory infections. It stimulates the immune system and the body’s natural defense against a wide spectrum of viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. In 2010, Broncho-Vaxom^® was approved by CDFA in China.^[6] Broncho-Vaxom^® is now approved in 65 countries around the world (for treating adults and children).^[7]

^[1] Ye Qici, RRTI, The Journal of Practical Pediatrics, 1999, Vol. 14, No. 6: 361-362

^[2] Zhong N, Wang C, Yao W, et al. Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a large, population- based survey [J]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2007, 176 (8): 753-760. DOI: 10.1164/ rccm. 200612-1749OC.

^[3] Diagnosis and Treatment Expert Group on AECOPD, Chinese Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of AECOPD (Updated in 2017), Int Respir, July 2017, Vol. 37, No.14:1041

^[4] Del-Rio-Navarro BE, Espinosa Rosales F., Flenady V, Sienra-Monge JJ. Immunostimulants for preventing respiratory tract infection in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;4:CD004974.Sequiera RB. Immunobiotherapy with Broncho-Vaxom^® in the prevention of postoperative respiratory infections. Méd et Hyg 1980; 38:2752-2753. Geiser G. Prevention of respiratory diseases in a large industrial enterprise: double blind study of Broncho-Vaxom^®. Acta Therapeutica 1983; 9:289-303.

^[5] Children's Otolaryngology Committee of Pediatrician Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Consensus of Management of Children RRTI, Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics, 2017, Vol.32 (10): 721-725

^[6] Chinese Marketed Drugs Database, S20100063

^[7] Derived from sales data by OM Pharma