The growth of the biotechnology industry is greatly influenced by research and development expenditure.
This year, the North American players in the biotechnology industry are expected to spend $15 billion. This spending will be in the form of mergers and acquisitions as well as research and development. The North American market is an oligopolistic market where the majority of the revenue is made by a few dominating companies. With such intense competition, it becomes necessary for companies to spend more on research and development.
A company exploring different biological cancer treatments
Biocad, a Russian biotechnology company, is thinking of being bought out. If the market sources are to be believed, Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is one of the potential bidders for Biocad. Based on current market values, Biocad is worth $1 billion.
Recently, Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) presented the results of the Phase III trial for its T-Vec drug, which will treat melanoma. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is rapidly increasing among U.S. and U.K. citizens. It is estimated that 77,000 new melanoma cases will be documented in the U.S., and every 20 out of 100,000 people will be affected by melanoma this year in the United Kingdom. This indicates a huge platform for this drug. The final survival data about the drug is expected out in late 2013; after which, it can be expected the drug will gain approval in the first half of 2014. Analysts expect T-Vec toan be a $350 million-$500 million drug for Amgen.
Expansion of a company’s product base
On June 28, Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) entered into a licensing agreement with MorphoSys for strengthening its product base in the field of multiple myeloma, or MM. Under this agreement, Celgene will have a worldwide right to sell MorphoSys’ MOR202. Currently, this drug is in the phase I/2a trial stage. The agreement dictates equal profit sharing. Currently, Celgene sells Thalomid, Revlimid and Pomalyst as MM drugs. The addition of MOR202 will diversify Celgene’s portfolio. Moreover, it is estimated that around 100,000 new MM cases are diagnosed annually worldwide.
Prior to this, Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) has experienced a strong cannibalization on its product sales whenever a substitute product is launched. Since MOR202 is in the early stages of tests, it is expected that it will nullify the declining revenues from Celgene’s existing products. Therefore, this agreement provides a natural hedge to Celgene’s revenue. Thus, the company will generate revenues of $4.73 billion, $5.4 billion, and $6.6 billion in 2013, 2014, and 2015 respectively from the sale of these products.
At the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) meetings in June, Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) presented the results for its Apremalist drug, which will be used for curing psoriatic arthritis patients. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease that develops in those who have chronic skin psoriasis. The results showed the improved potential of the drug. The company expects approval for this drug in the U.S. in first half of 2014 and in Europe in the first half of 2015. Analysts estimate Celgene to receive revenue of $130 million in 2014 and $482 million in 2015 from this drug.
