Shire to establish regenerative medicine business unit

Shire, the global speciality biopharmaceutical company, has signed an agreement to acquire US regenerative medicine company Advanced BioHealing. The deal will create a new strategic platform based on tissue regeneration using cell-based therapies that complements Shire’s existing speciality focus and biologics manufacturing capability.

As a result of the acquisition, Shire will add Dermagraft, a regenerative bio-engineered skin substitute indicated for use in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) greater than six weeks in duration, to its portfolio. The product has already achieved a 5% patient share of the potential US$3bn slow-healing DFU market with sales of $146m in the US in 2010. There is also the prospect of a potential expanded indication for venous leg ulcers (VLU).

‘This acquisition is a strong and complementary strategic fit for Shire. We will invest in the strengths of Advanced BioHealing’s specialist commercial team, its manufacturing and its product development,’ said Mike Cola, president of Shire’s Specialty Pharmaceuticals business.

‘The potential to build on the success of Dermagraft is attractive; it’s already a leading product providing a solution for a common complication suffered by diabetics in the US. We believe there’s an opportunity to create more value from Dermagraft and Advanced BioHealing’s proprietary technology and that we can build Advanced BioHealing into an exciting new business providing regenerative medicine for patients’ unmet needs.’

Advanced BioHealing has operations on three sites in the US: a manufacturing facility in La Jolla, California, corporate offices in Westport, Connecticut and research laboratories in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Kevin Rakin, ceo of Advanced BioHealing, will continue to lead the business within the Shire organisation. ‘This is a very exciting opportunity to develop the business and deliver continued growth within a new environment that is highly complementary,’ he said.