Almirall's new research and development centre, a reference point in biomedical research
- The centre has 400 staff members and is equipped with the latest technologies with the aim of discovering and developing innovative drugs that meet the therapeutic needs of the 21st century
- Research is focussed on the search for new molecules for the treatment of diseases where inflammation is a critical component, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis
Efforts are focussed on the discovery and development of new molecules for the treatment of conditions where inflammation is a critical component, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, which are the core diseases of Almirall’s therapeutic focuss. An example of this effort in the respiratory area is the progress of LAS34273, a new Almirall compound for the treatment of COPD that has just entered phase III clinical trials.
A reference point in Spanish biomedical research, in terms of its commitment of technological and human resources
The centre has 22,000 m2 of laboratory and office space, almost three football pitches, which will house all the functions necessary to the R&D process:Medical Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Development, Microbiological Analysis, Medical, etc. The centre also houses departments that provide a critical supportive role to R&D, such as Intellectual Property and Knowledge Management, Quality Control and Regulatory Affairs, amongst others.
Almirall has an R&D team of more than 500 professionals, with a workforce of 400 staff members devoted to the new centre that houses pharmacists, chemists, biologists, clinicians and other highly qualified specialists. The objective is to bring together the R&D team under a single roof to foster team-work and synergies so indispensable to a multidisciplinary undertaking such as R&D.
It is of note that this R&D Centre incorporates a dedicated manufacturing plant for production of compounds in development, destined for administration to humans in the corresponding clinical trials. Said plant has a surface area of 4,000 m2, distributed in several areas, and is capable of manufacturing batches from 10g to 100kg of formulated drug depending on the pharmaceutical format.
Modern manufacturing technologies now in place mean that in addition to standard pharmaceutical formats, special presentations can also be produced such as soft pills, inhalers and transdermal patches. Thus, enabling Almirall to innovate in the formulation of its medicines and keep abreast with the most advanced in the pharmaceutical industry.
Almirall, a permanent commitment to R&D
Almirall is committed to the discovery, design and development of proprietary drugs. Proof of this commitment is that 15% of its human resources are dedicated to R&D.
Almirall dedicates 20% of its total revenue to the search for new drugs. Almirall plans to invest €178 million in R&D in 2006 and the company estimates that it will spend €750 million over the next five years, representing the largest investment in this area by a Spanish pharmaceutical company.
The best proof of the wisdom of this approach is Almirall’s proprietary R&D products, the result of constant effort and investment, which make up 50% of its sales. Foremost amongst these medicines are almotriptan (anti-migraine drug), aceclofenac (anti-inflammatory), ebastine (anti-histamine), cinitapride (gastroprocinetic), piketoprofen (anti-inflammatory), almagate (which has become the reference antacid in the Spanish market) and clebopride (gastroprokinetic).
Almirall, a leading company committed to the health of society
Almirall, a consolidated pharmaceutical company, researches, develops and commercialises both, drugs from its own R&D and licensed drugs with the purpose of improving people’s health and quality of life.
Almirall, with headquarters in
For further information:
Ketchum/SEIS
Carla Cudós / Victoria Hernández
victoria.hernandez@ketchum.com
Tel.: 34 91 788 32 00.- Fax: 34 91 788 32 99