Swiss Biotech Report 2006

20LICENSED FOR SUCCESSHELSINN This family-owned company, based inLugano, focuses on the in- and out-licensing ofvaluable biotech and pharmaceutical compoundsup to the highest quality standards – a uniquebusiness approach that is the key to the Group’ssuccess.From left:Enrico Braglia, Joint Managing DirectorGabriele Braglia, President of the BoardRiccardo Braglia, Joint Managing DirectorHelsinn’s mission is quite intricate: The company inlicenses,finances, develops, manufactures, thenout-licenses and supports innovative, value-addedpharmaceutical products. “We are able to take earlystageproducts and foster them all the way throughto the point where they secure a market position,”explains Enrico Braglia, Joint Managing Director ofHelsinn along with his brother Riccardo.The company, founded in 1976 by Gabriele Braglia,the father of Riccardo and Enrico, is wholly ownedby the Braglia family. “In the beginning, Helsinnwas purely a licensing company, but in the 1980s itbranched out into clinical development and manufacturingactivities.”FDA APPROVED“We develop and manufacture high-quality ActivePharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and drug productson behalf of third parties, too.” For this reason, thecompany has built state-of-the-art facilities in Switzerlandand Ireland. “We have more than 100 m 3 of reactorcapacity in our plants in Switzerland and Ireland,and our Swiss facilities have been successfully inspectedby the FDA,” says Enrico Braglia. “Our plantsalso provide drug products in oral and topical dosageforms for our contract manufacturing partners andour licensees.”During the last five years, R&D investment has totalledover CHF 160 million. Helsinn achieves net revenuesof CHF 300 million, is present in more than 70 countriesand employs 450 people. Its specialists havebroad expertise in the areas of pain and inflammation(Nimesulide), oncology (Becatecarin), supportive care(Palonosetron) and gastroenterology (Klean-Prep).HIGH-QUALITY COMPOUNDSHelsinn’s business approach differs from that of otherpharmaceutical groups engaged in licensing. Thecompany acquires the rights to new compounds whenthese are at the clinical stage of development. “Wethen complete development up to European and USFDA standards and subsequently market the productsthrough our worldwide network of partners.” Its100 partners in 70 countries include large pharmaand local companies. “Our proven expertise and thefact that we always deliver valuable compounds,while also offering our partners a complete packageof services and support, has earned us a very goodreputation in the pharmaceutical industry.” AlongsideHelsinn’s long experience and proven track record,the high quality of the company’s compounds is alsoattributable to its being in private ownership. Whichmeans, as Braglia explains, “we are not under pressurefrom the stock markets and can thus devote ourattention to developing one product at a time, with nogreat urgent need to pinpoint possible new in-licensingcandidate compounds.”Although the family is of Italian origin, the Bragliabrothers are not considering moving the company’sregistered office. “The favourable tax conditions, ahighly skilled and quality-conscious workforce, adense network of universities and research institutesand the central geographical location guarantee usan attractive environment for our business”@For further information please visitwww.helsinn.com