Pharmacosmos

Pharmacosmos is considered a world leading authority in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.

The privately owned specialty pharmaceutical company, established in 1965 in Holbaek outside Copenhagen, Denmark, markets its human and veterinary medicines in a large number of markets throughout the world. The company’s brands are MonoFer®, CosmoFer® and Uniferon®.

Pharmacosmos maintains an intensive research and development programme targeting iron deficiency therapies and improvement of treatment options. The company is also a world leader in manufacturing of carbohydrate polymers and iron carbohydrate complexes, an expert in dextran fractionation techniques, and supplies clinical grade dextran fractions complying with the major pharmacopoeias (EP, USP and JP).

Pharmacosmos employs 125 people in Scandinavia and the UK.

Company profile

Pharmacosmos was founded in Denmark in 1965 by Henry Marinus Christensen, M.D., Ph.D.

Operations

Pharmacosmos' corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities and research laboratories are located in Holbaek, Denmark (Scandinavia). The company has its own marketing, sales and services operations in Denmark and United Kingdom.^[1] In other geographies, the company partners with other pharmaceutical companies responsible for local marketing, sales and distribution of its pharmaceuticals brands. The company does not disclose its revenues.

Manufacturing facilities

Pharmacosmos' manufacturing facility is approved according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Research and development

The company has an ongoing clinical development program aimed at improving treatment options for patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia. In 2010, Pharmacosmos' clinical program included three international clinical studies focused on treatment of iron deficiency anemic patients within nephrology, gastroenterology and hematology/oncology.^[2][3][4]

Products

Monofer

Monofer is a treatment for iron deficiency anemia. The generic name of Monofer is iron isomaltoside 1000, developed by Pharmacosmos. Monofer was approved in December 2009 in 22 European countries for treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with varying underlying conditions.^[5][6] Monofer is approved with a wide dose range and no test dose requirement, allowing iron repletion in a single IV dose if a Total Dose Infusion is given in certain clinical situations.^[7] This has to be given in a hospital due to increased risks of reaction. If the patient requires a dose over 20 mg/kg of idealised body weight a second dose has to be given after waiting a week.^[8]

Cosmofer

Cosmofer is a treatment for iron deficiency anemia. The generic name of Cosmofer is low molecular weight iron dextran. Cosmofer was approved in 2001 and is available in more than 45 countries worldwide. It has a lower incidence of dextran-induced analphylaxis than older dextran-based products, although still requires a test dose.^[9]

Uniferon

Uniferon is treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia in animals. The generic name for Uniferon is iron dextran. Its approved by health authorities in Europe, Asia and in the U.S. by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dextrans

Its second focus area, Pharmacosmos is a leading manufacturer of clinical grade dextran biopolymers used extensively in pharmaceutical products, vaccines and medical devices.

See also

• List of Danish companies
• List of pharmaceutical companies

References

External links

• Pharmacosmos website
• Monofer (iron isomaltoside 1000) website
• Cosmofer (low Mw iron dextran) website
• Uniferon (iron dextran) website
• Pharmacosmos Dextran website