This week, SpeakPharma interviews four senior executives of LGM Pharma — Shailesh Vengurlekar (Senior VP, Quality and Regulatory Affairs), Deepak Thassu (Senior VP, R&D and Regulatory Submission), Selwyn Lustman (Senior VP, Global Sourcing and Procurement), and Mike Stenberg (VP, Business Development). The four VPs talk about expansion in manufacturing capabilities of the Florida-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), expertise that makes LGM a strong partner and the criteria it adopts while selecting its suppliers.
HIGHLIGHTS// expansion in manufacturing capabilities/ expertise that makes LGM a strong partner/ criteria for selecting its suppliers
LGM Pharma recently invested heavily in expanding its CDMO capabilities by 50 percent. Can you share why offering standalone analytical testing services is important to LGM Pharma’s growth strategy? How does it benefit your clients?
Vengurlekar: This recent expansion in CDMO capabilities is part of LGM Pharma’s growth strategy that lays importance on diversification.
One key area of this diversification is the offering of
standalone Analytical Testing Services (ATS). This service plays a crucial role
in supporting our clients by providing them with greater flexibility and
reliability.
LGM Pharma is already a well-established leader in the API
supply chain. We have now identified a significant need in the market and are
now serving compounding pharmacies, including 503A and 503B facilities. These
pharmacies not only require high-quality, GMP-compliant APIs, but also need a
trusted, compliant, and capable laboratory to analyze both their APIs and
compounded products.
Recognizing this opportunity to further support our clients, LGM Pharma has expanded into ATS. We have witnessed tremendous growth since we’ve launched these services. By offering ATS under a separate legal entity — LGM Pharma Solutions — we are able to provide an additional layer of flexibility to our clients.
This structure eliminates any conflict of interest. While
LGM Pharma LLC handles API supply, LGM Pharma Solutions focuses on delivering
top-tier ATS, all under the same LGM Pharma umbrella. This setup enhances trust
and allows our clients to work with us more seamlessly.
HIGHLIGHTS// diversified into standalone ATS/ well-established leader in API supply chain/ serving compounding pharmacies/ offering APIs and ATS under different legal entities.
While suppositories offer clear advantages for certain medications, can you describe how LGM Pharma plans to leverage its expertise in this area to address specific unmet needs in the growing women’s health market?
Thassu: We’re taking a dual approach to enhance both our R&D and manufacturing capabilities. First, we’ve introduced a new semi-automatic machine that allows us to produce smaller batches more efficiently. This is particularly important for the suppository segment, where demand doesn’t require large-scale production. The new system enables quicker adjustments to the manufacturing process, providing us with greater flexibility of producing small batches.
Second, many of the materials we handle in the women’s health sector are sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen. To address this, we’re upgrading our facility to accommodate these specialized requirements. This ensures we can develop and manufacture products while maintaining the integrity of heat-, light-, and oxygen-sensitive ingredients.
Additionally, we’re working closely with clients to prepare for various technical challenges. Whether it’s processing homeopathic ingredients or handling delicate fermentation-based materials, which are highly sensitive to both light and heat, our team has upgraded its skills and equipment to manage these complexities.
From technology advancements in manufacturing to specialized handling conditions and improved technical expertise, we’ve made significant strides to ensure we can meet the evolving needs of our clients and their products.
HIGHLIGHTS// dual approach to enhance R&D and manufacturing capabilities/ upgrading facilities to accommodate specialized requirements/ working with clients to address challenges.
The
pandemic underscored supply chain problems. Can you detail the
specific criteria LGM Pharma uses while selecting suppliers for its
manufacturing processes?
Lustman: LGM looks
at many facets of a manufacturer before proceeding to approve them for a
specific project. We start by checking their regulatory history with the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other authorities. We try to find out if
they have received any warning letters. What is their inspection history? Have
they received NAIs (no action indicated) and VAIs (voluntary action indicated)?
We further investigate the company’s overall business status — we need to know that they are a stable partner to work with in the long term.
Manufacturers are then assessed for their overall technology and the number of employees working in various fields, such as R&D, quality control, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and the educational levels of these employees.
Once we have established that the manufacturer is a
potential partner, we check their status for a particular project. We look at
their advantages, and whether they have a non-infringing route of synthesis
(ROS) that will allow early launch. Are they developing a second process that
will be more competitive in pricing? And, does the manufacturer have the
necessary capacity and/or spare capacity for the project that we are assessing?
We need to know whether the drug master file (DMF) has been registered, the current batch size, and the potential for increase in batch size. Pricing is a key indicator — we need to know whether the pricing of the manufacturer is competitive or not, and if the manufacturer will be able to compete in the future as the project matures.
LGM always assesses for quality, price, and delivery. Goods
must be of the correct quality, at the right price, with delivery time as
desired, in order to meet commercial needs.
HIGHLIGHTS// investigate various facets of manufacturer before approving them for a project/ look at advantages, non-infringing ROS/ assess for quality, price, delivery
Can you highlight specific capabilities and experiences LGM Pharma possesses that make it a strong partner for companies developing antibody-drug-conjugates (ADCs)?
Stenberg: ADCs are often peptides linked with small molecules. However, they may also be peptides linked with oligonucleotides. Regardless, LGM can help manage the supply chain associated with the components that are used in the conjugation of the ADC.
LGM has extensive experience, and an extensive network around sourcing and managing the supply chain associated with ADC components. LGM’s experience and capabilities extend to sourcing peptides, small molecules or oligonucleotides used in the conjugation process.
Additionally, given our deep relationships in the supply chain aspect of this process, LGM may also be able to identify partners who can help with the conjugation process itself.
HIGHLIGHTS// extensive experience, network around sourcing, managing supply chain associated with ADC components / identify partners that can help with conjugation process
This year has seen pivotal advancements in medical innovation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several groundbreaking therapies that promise to transform patient care across multiple therapeutic areas.Some of the therapies approved have revolutionary delivery
mechanisms, while others are first-in-class treatments for previously
unaddressed conditions. This week, PharmaCompass
brings you a compilation of new pathbreaking approvals of 2024, including
advancements in neurology, chronic conditions, mental health conditions, and
innovative solutions for various other ailments.Lilly, Alpha Cognition, BMS transform neurological care with new Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia drugsThe neurological treatment landscape saw several major breakthroughs in 2024, particularly in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Eli Lilly’s Kisunla represents a significant advancement in treating early, symptomatic AD.
Following decades of failed efforts, Kisunla’s approval, along with that of Eisai-Biogen’s Leqembi last year, marks a turning point in addressing AD.The drug works by targeting and clearing beta amyloid plaque from the brain, thereby attacking the disease’s underlying pathology, rather than just managing symptoms. Administered as an infusion every four weeks, Kisunla’s Medicare coverage makes it accessible to patients in the US who desperately need new treatment options. Alpha Cognition’s Zunveyl emerged as a promising new oral treatment for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Only the second oral AD treatment approved by the FDA in over a decade, Zunveyl is a prodrug, or a biologically inactive
compound that can be metabolized by the body to produce a drug. It remains
inactive as it passes through the stomach and enhances cholinergic function in
the brain.Perhaps one of the most exciting breakthroughs of 2024 was Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Cobenfy. This revolutionary
antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia represents the first novel approach to treatment since the 1950s. Unlike traditional antipsychotics that target dopamine receptors, Cobenfy works through cholinergic receptors, offering new hope to patients who struggle with the side effects of conventional treatments.Traditional antipsychotics have been associated with several mild and serious side effects such as weight gain, feeling unmotivated and sluggish, high rates of cardiac disease, and even early death. Cobenfy’s innovative mechanism of action has generated excitement in the medical community. Experts project Cobenfy to bring in US$ 7.5 billion in peak annual sales, thereby validating BMS’ recent, US$ 14-billion acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics.Verona, Sanofi’s drugs revolutionize COPD care; Madrigal’s Rezdiffra offers hope to MASH patients The landscape of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
treatment saw remarkable advances in 2024. Verona Pharma’s Ohtuvayre brings the first new mechanism of action in over two decades for COPD treatment. This dual-action, inhaled medication serves as both a bronchodilator and an anti-inflammatory agent, offering a comprehensive approach to symptom management.Adding to this progress, Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first biologic approved for treating COPD. Dupixent is Sanofi’s best-selling drug. It is poised to cross over € 21 billion (US$ 23.5 billion) in sales by 2030, with COPD likely to contribute US$ 2.9 billion, predict analysts. Over 390 million people are living with COPD worldwide.In the field of liver disease, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ Rezdiffra became the first FDA-approved treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated
steatohepatitis (MASH)
with moderate to advanced liver scarring. This
approval represents a breakthrough in a field
that has been notorious for being a graveyard for failed programs. Rezdiffra
offers hope to patients with this common liver condition, which primarily
affects those with obesity or type 2 diabetes. The American Liver Foundation has termed this approval a “game-changing” moment in hepatology.For the rare disease community, Ipsen’s Iqirvo emerged as the first new medicine approved in nearly a decade for primary biliary
cholangitis (PBC). This first-in-class peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor (PPAR) agonist offers new hope for the approximately 100,000 Americans
affected by this condition, particularly women aged 30 to 60 years.A significant breakthrough for patients with hypoparathyroidism came with the approval of Ascendis’ Yorvipath, making it the only treatment for hypoparathyroidism in adults. By directly addressing the underlying hormone deficiency, Yorvipath helps stabilize calcium levels in the blood, reducing the treatment burden associated with managing symptoms through calcium and vitamin D supplements alone.In the realm of pulmonary medicine, Merck’s Winrevair emerged as the first new therapy
for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in over a decade. As the first approved activin-signaling inhibitor therapy, Winrevair represents a novel approach to treating this rare but severe condition that doctors call a “ticking time bomb”. The drug is the first treatment that targets the underlying cause of the lung condition, which typically leads to death within a decade of diagnosis.ARS Pharma launches nasal
spray alternative to EpiPen, Eicos introduces med for severe frostbiteLeading the charge in innovative drug delivery is ARS Pharma’s Neffy, the first-ever nasal spray alternative to
the EpiPen for treating severe allergic reactions. This groundbreaking advancement represents the first major innovation in anaphylaxis treatment in over a decade. For children and individuals with needle phobia, this nasal spray format addresses one of the most significant barriers to timely treatment of allergic emergencies. Speaking of emergency medicine, Eicos Sciences’ Aurlumyn made history as the first FDA-approved treatment for severe
frostbite. This approval fills a critical gap in emergency
care, offering a medical intervention that could prevent the need for
amputation in severe cases.The cardiovascular space saw its first oral anti-hypertensive therapy that works through a new therapeutic pathway in almost 40 years. Idorsia’s Tryvio is a treatment for
hypertension that offers new hope to patients whose blood pressure remains
inadequately controlled on existing medications. Idorsia expects millions of
patients to benefit from it.Our view This year, the pharmaceutical industry has taken a remarkable leap forward by addressing some of healthcare’s most challenging conditions. Treatments like BMS’ Cobenfy for schizophrenia and Madrigal’s Rezdiffra for MASH demonstrate the industry’s growing ability to translate science into practical therapies. With the growing use of artificial intelligence in the drug industry, we hope that these approvals are just a precursor to a bevy of pathbreaking therapies in the years to come.
Share
