Idifarma strengthens Palobiofarma relationship with seventh project

SPANISH contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Idifarma has begun its seventh project with Spanish biotechnology company, Palobiofarma.

Under the terms of the agreement, Idifarma will handle the full pharmaceutical development of Palobiofarma’s new development candidate, the compound  PBF-2897. This will include drug formulation, development of analytical methods and GMP manufacturing for clinical trials from its EU GMP facility in Pamplona, Spain.

PBF-2897 represents a novel co-crystal form of PBF-680, which is a potent, non-BBB permeable, adenosine A1 receptor antagonist as a first in class oral treatment of respiratory diseases as asthma and COPD currently in Phase II clinical trials. The PBF-2897 project is scheduled for completion in 2019.

“Palobiofarma and Idifarma have had a strong relationship for most of the decade, successfully working together on six projects since 2012, and this latest project extends and strengthens that relationship,” said Luis Oquiñena, general manager and co-founder of Idifarma.

“With this project, Palobiofarma will have continued access to Idifarma’s specialist capabilities and top-class manufacturing site as well as providing them with a trustworthy and flexible partner for development of their novel drugs and manufacturing and packaging for clinical trials.

“We are very proud to be working with and supporting biotechs like Palobiofarma from Phase I studies through to Phase II/III and even commercialisation and to see the positive impact for patients and the healthcare industry.”

Palobiofarma is a Spanish biotechnology company founded in 2006 and focused on the discovery and development of new medicines based on the modulation of the adenosine pathways.

The company signed a licensing deal with Novartis in 2015 for the compound PBF-509, a first in class lung cancer therapy which pharmaceutical development has been carried out by the Idifarma team.

Co-founder and chief executive officer of Palobiofarma Julio Castro said: “This latest agreement with Idifarma is testament to the successful collaboration between the two companies so far. We value the commitment, seriousness and quality of Idifarma as one of our best collaborators.

“Without them it would not have been possible for Palobiofarma to successfully bring seven different novel drugs into clinical development.”

Idifarma recently invested in both capsule filling and spray drying capabilities to strengthen its position as a specialised contract partner for the development and manufacturing of oral solid dosage forms, including high potency compounds and niche pharmaceuticals requiring small commercial and clinical batches.