COMPANY HISTORY

COMPANY HISTORY

Trust in Experience

_The history of Vifor Pharma dates back to 1872 when the pharmacist Conrad Ferdinand Hausmann opened a pharmacy in St. Gallen, Switzerland. His interest in the development of pharmaceutical preparations led to the production of infusion preparations and the development of pharmaceutical specialities. He was a pioneer in the field of iron-based products and his focus on the iron products has made Vifor Pharma today one of the world’s leading companies in the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.

2011
_In July 2011 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK approved the new, simplified dosage regimen for Ferinject®. MHRA simultaneously approved an additional change to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Ferinject®, which allows dosing increases for Ferinject® by intravenous (I.V.) injection.
_In August 2011 Vifor Pharma and Hikma Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Hikma) entered into an agreement under which Hikma will market Ferinject®, Vifor Pharma’s innovative treatment for iron deficiency, in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).
_In October 2011 the US partner Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Injectafer® (US brand name of Ferinject®, ferric carboxymaltose) for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.
_Also in October 2011 the common company of Galenica and Fresenius Medical Care – Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd. (Vifor FMC Renal Pharma) – received approval from the European and Swiss antitrust authorities. This allowed Vifor FMC Renal Pharma to proceed with the targeted expansion of its operations, i.e. the commercialisation of Ferinject®, Venofer® and PA21 for the nephrology sector, in Europe and other countries after the formal closing in November 2011.
_In November 2011 Galenica announced the acquisition of all shares of Vifor Pharma Uriach SL, a joint venture with its Spanish partner Grupo Uriach, as well as Uriach’s Primary Care Business. This acquisition resulted in the foundation of the new affiliate, Vifor Pharma España SL.
_By the end of 2011 Ferinject® was registered in 38 and launched in 27 countries.

2010
_In January 2010 Vifor Pharma UK took over the intravenous iron business from its UK distributor Syner-Med, creating its own independent sales, medical and marketing infrastructure based in Bagshot, Surrey.
_In June 2010, Vifor Pharma announced a partnership with Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) in which FMC agreed to support the phase III study for PA21 in the US and become the commercial partner for Vifor Pharma in North America.
_In September 2010 Vifor Pharma entered into a partnership with Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. for the development and commercialisation of the phosphate binder PA21 in Japan. This collaboration was a further step in the strategy of developing and commercialising PA21 with strong regional partners.
_In December 2010 Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Medical Care announced an extension of their partnership through the creation of a specialty pharma company, including Venofer®, Ferinject® and PA21 in its product portfolio. Vifor Pharma contributes its expertise in phosphate binding and its global leadership in iron replacement therapy, whereas FMC provides access to its network of dialysis centers.
_By the end of 2010 Ferinject® was registered in 32 and launched in 16 countries.
_Vifor Pharma established three new affiliates: in Australia, Belgium and Romania.


2009
_In September 2009 Galenica acquired OM Pharma, a fully integrated specialty biotechnology and pharmaceutical Swiss company with unique expertise in the field of immunology. OM Pharma distributes in more than 90 countries and its products are leader position in their markets. The acquisition supports Galenica’s growth strategy: OM Pharma strengthened the Vifor Pharma business sector with an established product portfolio in therapeutic areas that excellently complement the products of Vifor Pharma. OM Pharma’s worldwide sales force reinforces Vifor Pharma’s network of partners, some of whom already distribute Venofer® and Maltofer®.
_In October 2009 Vifor Pharma reached an important milestone in its clinical development program: the FAIR-HF study demonstrated that treating iron deficiency (with or without anaemia) in chronic heart failure with Ferinject® improves symptoms, exercise capacity and quality of life. The study results were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
_As part of its strategy to build its presence in key European markets, Vifor Pharma established three new affiliates: in Austria, The Netherlands and Spain.
_Another important milestone was reached with the launch of Ferinject® in Spain.


2008
_The new Vifor Pharma was created through the acquisition of the former Aspreva Pharmaceutical Corporation. Under this umbrella, the former companies of Galenica’s Pharma business sector – Vifor (International), Vifor and Potters – formed this fully integrated speciality pharma company.
_Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, entered into exclusive license agreements for Venofer® and Ferinject® to treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia experienced by dialysis patients.
_By the end of 2008 Ferinject® was launched in Switzerland and eight other markets.
_With the acquisition of 51% of Sweden’s Renapharma, a company specialised in the sale of medicines for iron deficiency therapy, Vifor Pharma further strengthened its presence in key European markets.
_Vifor Pharma entered into an agreement with Syner-Med Pharmaceutical Products (SMPP), its longstanding partner in the UK and Ireland. SMPP's market knowledge was instrumental in establishing Ferinject® in new indications.
_In France Vifor Pharma established its own marketing and sales organisation.
_Equazen eye q™ was introduced to the Swiss market under the name Equazen IQ™, which was the most successful launch ever of an over-the-counter product in Switzerland.

2006/2007
_The registration files for the new iron-based product Ferinject® were submitted in Switzerland and in 18 countries of the EU in 2006 and approved in 2007. In November 2007, it was successfully launched in Germany.
_Vifor Pharma acquired Equazen Nutraceuticals Limited with its leading product eye q™ in 2006.

2004
_Vifor (International) Ltd. signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiary American Regent, Inc. to market existing and future iron products in the USA. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approved Venofer® for treating iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in pre-dialysis and peritoneal dialysis-dependent CKD patients in the USA.
_Galenica acquired the brand Perskindol® from Pharma Singer Ltd. Today, Perskindol® is one of the best-selling over-the-counter products of Vifor Pharma.

2003
_ Aspreva (acquired by Galenica in 2008) entered into an exclusive collaboration agreement with Roche for the worldwide (excluding Japan) development and commercialisation of CellCept®.
_Galenica aquired Potter's (Herbal Supplies) Ltd.
_In 2003, Venofer® became the No. 1 prescribed intravenous iron in the U.S.

2001
_In November, 2001 the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approved Venofer® for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in haemodialysis-dependent CKD patients for the US market.

1997-1999
_Considerable investments were made to develop new products for Vifor Ltd. to support the company’s internationalisation. Laboratoire Golaz AG, specialised in over-the-counter and prescription products, was acquired by Galenica. The acquisition of Medichemie Group strengthened Galenica's position in the Swiss healthcare market with its herbal remedies and gastroenterological products.

1991
_The activities in pharmaceutical specialities of the former Hausmann Laboratories Inc. led to the foundation of Vifor (International) Ltd. The company concentrated on the manufacturing of iron products for the treatment iron deficiency, whereas Vifor Ltd. developed and produced over-the-counter medicines for the Swiss market. The activities in the fields of infusion preparations/hospital supply were sold to B. Braun Melsungen Inc.

1983
_ Hausmann Laboratories Inc. was acquired by Galenica. The company specialised in perfusions, sterile solutions and iron products.


1978
_Maltofer® (iron (III) polymaltose complex standardised) was registered and introduced in the market.

1977
_Galenica acquired the manufacturing companies Vifor Ltd. and Cooper Ltd., which operated in the areas of hospital supplies and pharmaceutical products.

1964
_Iron (III) polymaltose complex (Ferrum Hausmann I.M. & oral) was introduced in the market.

1952-1957
_Hausmann Laboratories Inc. was founded in St. Gallen. The product Ferrum Hausmann I.V. received the approval and was introduced in Switzerland. This was the first non-dextran-based iron complex, and became though further development today’s Venofer®.
_Galenica diversified into new areas setting up the new subsidiary Panpharma Ltd. (later Vifor Ltd.) specialised in marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products through pharmacies.

1872
_The pharmacist Conrad Ferdinand Hausmann founded a pharmacy in St. Gallen. His interest for the development of pharmaceutical preparations led to the production of infusion preparations and the development of pharmaceutical specialities, and the first iron-based products.

Contact

Vifor Pharma Ltd.

Flughofstrasse 61
P.O. Box
CH-8152 Glattbrugg

Phone:
+41 58 851 80 00
Fax:
+41 58 851 80 01

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