與CEO對談 – Special Edition for CEO Week On Air: Dr. Ko-Chung Lin, Founder & CEO, PharmaEssentia (6446 TT)
PharmaEssentia invented and developed P1101 (Ropeginterferon alfa-2b), the world most advanced formulation of interferon alpha-2b. The first indication - polycythemia vera (PV), had been approved by EU in Feb 2019 and Taiwan in May 2020. US approval is expected in 1Q21, following by Korea, Japan and China’s approval. As the first Taiwanese biotechnology company to develop the one and only 1st line treatment globally, we asked the founder Dr. Ko-Chung Lin: “How do you see the future of PharmaEssentia, and the Taiwan biotech industry?”
Dr. Lin smiled and said, “It’s been a long way for us to develop Ropeginterferon alfa-2b. Now it is in commercialization stage and we are optimistic about the potential market of PV. The second indication of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b - Essential Thrombocytosis, global Phase III trial is launching very soon. In the following years, we are planning to expand more indications for Ropeginterferon alfa-2b to maximize its market value and application. At the same time, we targeted other molecules with great potential but have no optimized formulation in the market. By leveraging our pegylation technique, we can bring patients better drugs and improve their quality of life.”
“I always believe Taiwan can be a biotech hub in Asia, with 2 to 3 global scale of biotechnology companies. We certainly hope PharmaEssentia becomes one of them. ” Since Ropeginterferon alfa-2b was approved by EMA, the Company started to prepare for the commercialization in the US. When talking about the new challenge of marketing the drug in the US, Dr. Lin described with excitement, “We do have earnest expectation in the US market. And we will push forward step-by-step. PharmaEssentia just completed a public offering and well-funded for product launch in the US. We recently hired top tier marketing VP and sales VP and management in the US. Our US team has started extensive research of the market dynamic.” At the same time, PharmaEssentia obtained over 50% of medicine distribution licenses within the 50 states in the US. As soon as US approval is obtained from FDA, the channel can swiftly deliver the medicine to physicians and therefore to benefits patients.
For the future, Dr. Lin set three goals: “1) to develop a strong marketing team and channel in the US and other countries, and forge the Company into a fully integrated biopharma company; 2) We are looking forward to becoming the leader in designated indications, among peers; and 3) PharmaEssentia has very solid scientific background, can optimize current molecules in the market, or expand to oncology and infectious diseases. We believe the future is bright for PharmaEssentia.”
Pharmaessentia will attend QIC’s CEO Week on Air, which will run from 8/31 to 9/4. Click here to find an introduction to the company and basic financial data.
If you would like to arrange a meeting with Dr. Ko-Chung Lin, please contact yvonnehuang@qtumic.com