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INTERVIEW #SpeakPharma

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“LGM Pharma has made significant strides in meeting the evolving needs of its clients”
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

Impressions: 156

https://www.pharmacompass.com/speak-pharma/lgm-pharma-has-made-significant-strides-in-meeting-the-evolving-needs-of-its-clients

#SpeakPharma With LGM Pharma
09 Nov 2024

VLOG #PharmaReel

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DATA COMPILATION #PharmaFlow

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DMF filings hit all-time high in Q3 2024; China tops list with 58% increase in Type II submissions
Drug Master Files, or DMFs, are confidential documents that play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry. These files, submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), contain detailed information about ingredients, manufacturing processes, and packaging of medicines. They help the FDA oversee drug quality. Of the four types, Type II DMFs involve active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for both branded and generic drugs. The third quarter (Q3) of 2024 saw Type II DMF submissions set a new record. A total of 309 Type II DMFs were submitted to the FDA during this period, a substantial 24.6 percent increase over Q3 2023 (with 248 submissions). The second quarter of 2024 too saw a remarkable increase, with 237 Type II DMFs being submitted compared to 178 in Q2 2023. View FDA DMF Filings in Q3 2024 (Power BI Dashboard, Free Excel Available) China witnesses steep rise in DMF submissions, beats India with maximum filings In Q3 2024, China filed 153 DMFs submissions, marking a substantial 57.7 percent increase from the 97 submissions filed in Q3 2023. India maintained its strong position but fell to the number two spot with 110 DMFs, representing a modest 3.8 percent increase from 106 in Q3 2023. The US, which came a distant third, saw a slight decline in DMF submissions, with 13 filed in Q3 2024, as compared to 18 in Q3 2023. For several years, India had a lead in Type II DMFs. Since 2020, which marked the start of the pandemic, we have noticed a gradual increase in DMFs filed by China. This year, China has surpassed India considerably in the first three quarters. During the first nine months of 2024, China submitted 372, while India filed 286 DMFs. If this lead is maintained in Q4, DMFs from China will surpass that of India in 2024.  Amongst European countries, Spain led with seven DMFs, followed by Italy at four, and Germany and the Netherlands at three each. Among other nations, Japan contributed six while Israel submitted four DMFs. In company-wise tally, China’s Jiangsu East-Mab Biomedical Technology topped the list with an impressive 14 DMFs. On its heels were Indian companies — MSN at 13 DMFs, and Vamsi Labs and Hetero Drugs at nine DMFs each. China’s Porton Pharma and Wuxi AppTec filed five, while Shanghai Keze Yongxin Biotechnology, and Qingdao Glycogene Pharmaceutical contributed four submissions each. India's Maithri Drugs also submitted four. Japanese company Santeja filed five. Overall, Asia accounted for nearly 90 percent, with China contributing a dominant 49.5 percent of all DMF submissions. India was at 35.6 percent, the US at 4.2 percent, while Europe contributed 6.5 percent.  View FDA DMF Filings in Q3 2024 (Power BI Dashboard, Free Excel Available) Diabetes, obesity, cancer, women’s health drugs emerge as hot molecules in Q3 2024 In terms of molecules, semaglutide (used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight management) and relugolix (to treat prostate cancer and uterine fibroids) saw six DMF filings each in Q3 2024, indicating significant industry interest in these compounds. Following closely behind were semaglutide’s competitor tirzepatide and overactive bladder therapy vibegron, garnering four DMFs each. Finerenone (a non-steroidal drug for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes) and voclosporin (an immunosuppressant for lupus nephritis) saw three DMFs each.  The last quarter also witnessed the introduction of 14 molecules with first-time DMFs. Among them were acetoxy empagliflozin, cabozantinib fumarate, tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate, diosmetin, trilaciclib, clenbuterol hydrochloride, fenoterol hydrobromide, tapinarof and fezolinetant. Fezolinetant, with a DMF from Spain’s Moehs Iberica, is the active ingredient in Astellas’ Veozah, which is the first non-hormonal treatment for menopausal symptoms approved by the FDA. Tapinarof, filed by India’s Maithri Drugs, is used in Vtama, a novel steroid-free psoriasis cream. Other compounds that made their DMF debut include berotralstat, calcium phosphoryl choline chloride, phloroglucinol dihydrate, belumosudil mesylate and trimethylphloroglucinol. During Q2 2024, there were 19 drugs that saw DMF submissions for the first time, including molecules like triptorelin, sorafenib, pralsetinib, trilaciclib dihydrochloride, resmetirom (hepatology) and teneligliptin hydrochloride hydrate (metabolic disorders).  View FDA DMF Filings in Q3 2024 (Power BI Dashboard, Free Excel Available)    GDUFA fee for FY 2025: The FDA’s Generic Drug User Fee Amendments (GDUFA) is a law designed to speed access to safe and effective generic drugs to the public and reduce costs to the industry. The fiscal year 2025 fee rates were published on July 31, 2024. The FDA has revised fees under GDUFA III for all categories. While there is a slight increase in the DMF fee from US$ 94,682 in 2024 to US$ 95,084 in 2025, the ANDA fee has witnessed a significant jump — from US$ 252,453 in 2024 to US$ 321,920 in 2025. FY 2024 and FY 2025 User Fee Rates Generic drug fee category Fees rates for FY 2024 Fees rates for FY 2025 Applications: Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) US$ 2,52,453   US$ 3,21,920   Drug Master File (DMF) US$ 94,682 US$ 95,084 Facilities: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)—Domestic US$ 40,464 US$ 41,580 API—Foreign US$ 55,464 US$ 56,580 Finished Dosage Form (FDF)—Domestic US$ 2,20,427   US$ 2,31,952 FDF—Foreign US$ 2,35,427   US$ 2,46,952 Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO)—Domestic US$ 52,902 US$ 55,668 CMO—Foreign US$ 67,902 US$ 70,668 GDUFA Program: Large size operation generic drug applicant US$ 17,29,629   US$ 18,91,664 Medium size operation generic drug applicant US$ 6,91,852   US$ 7,56,666 Small business generic drug applicant US$ 1,72,963   US$ 1,89,166 Our view The highlight of the last few quarters has been the sharp rise in Type II DMF filings from China. The submission of a DMF is not required by law or any FDA regulation. FDA’s DMF guideline offers guidance on acceptable approaches to meeting regulatory requirements. Moreover, DMFs establish trust in APIs from lesser-known companies. With a growing emphasis on compliance and quality assurance, it appears that Chinese drug companies are eager to demonstrate their commitment to high standards and build trust in the US market. And that’s good news for the pharmaceutical industry.   

Impressions: 5964

https://www.pharmacompass.com/radio-compass-blog/dmf-filings-hit-all-time-high-in-q3-2024-china-tops-list-with-58-increase-in-type-ii-submissions

#PharmaFlow by PHARMACOMPASS
24 Oct 2024

NEWS #PharmaBuzz

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