Celltrion started in 2002 as a small biopharma company based in South Korea. Over the past twenty years, Celltrion has grown to become a leading global biopharmaceutical company with an evolved vision: to transform from a ‘first mover’ to a ‘game changer’ by 2030. Celltrion’s launch of the world’s first biosimilar monoclonal antibody, Remsima®, brought the significance of biosimilars to worldwide attention, reaching the forefront of biosimilar development through consistent and bold investments. Celltrion’s commitment to delivering innovative and affordable biosimilar medications allowed it to distinguish itself from competitors in the biosimilars field and to position itself ahead of others.
Our judges described Celltrion as “a pioneer in biosimilars, and now expanding.” They said that Celltrion “has entered a new chapter of its development this year, by shifting its focus to innovatvie drugs – including one to help the fight against COVID – and by setting up its own distribution network in the developed markets. At the same time, it has consolidated its position as a leading developer and supplier for biosimilars, building on its history as a pioneer in this area.”
Aurobindo Pharma
Hikma
Piramal Pharma Solutions
Stada
Eurofarma has launched an ecommerce platform on its website that allows the customer/patient to make a price comparison of generic, prescription and OTC drugs in the pharmacy and drugstore chains where the product is available. When choosing the desired option, he is automatically directed to the page to complete the purchase process. The company is the first pharmaceutical company to provide an online price comparison and purchase tool for drugs.
Our judges highlighted the company’s “innovative and interesting price comparison tool for online price comparison and purchasing” and further noted that “Eurofarma’s achievements include signing a partnership to be a manufacturer of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for Latin America.”
Coherus BioSciences
Exeltis Healthcare Americas
Lannett
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Beximco Pharma achieved double-digit growth, attained excellent profit growth, enriched its product portfolio, won global awards for COVID-19 response, and delivered excellent results for the shareholders. The company launched the world’s first generic remdesivir as well as other repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, along with new products across 12 therapeutic segments. Beximco’s proactive role in sourcing the COVID-19 vaccine eventually helped Bangladesh secure AstraZeneca vaccine doses for the nation well ahead of even many developed nations. Such an impressive performance shows our strength and ability to drive business in any difficult and uncertain situation.
Our judges said that “in the pandemic year 2021 no other company deserves the prize as a South East Asian company active in COVID vaccination.” The company “has been growing tremendously and stood out during COVID-19.”
Exeltis Healthcare APAC
Lotus Pharmaceutical
Samsung Bioepis
Stada is leading the way in Europe's generics, biosimilars, value-added and consumer healthcare industries in terms of financial performance, targeted acquisitions, business-development deals and CSR sustainability activities. Top-five positions in Europe's generics and OTC sectors are supported by a clear three-pillar strategy focused on generics, consumer healthcare and specialty pharma such as value-added and biosimilar medicines. At the same time as benefitting from a strong pan-European footprint, Stada has a growing presence and sales and marketing infrastructure in the MENA region that has seen the company attract several attractive licensing partners.
Our judges highlighted Stada’s “18% sales growth in 2020 and putting ranibizumab biosimilar through pivotal clinical trials,” adding that the company “deserves to win due to outstanding growth in Rx as well as OTC.” They also pointed to the firm’s “high growth and ambitious projects, good partnership deals and solid future,” offering “strong potential in key areas.”
Accord Healthcare
Zentiva
Accord Healthcare leads the generic European oncology segment, and, in the UK, is the largest generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical company by volume. Accord has three leading Biosimilars in oncology; Accofil®, Europe’s first biosimilar pegfilgrastim, Pelgraz Junior and biosimilar trastuzumab Zercepac® launched across the European region. Added to this, Accord also has a rich pipeline of in-house and partners in small molecules in oncology, addiction & psychiatry and autoimmune conditions focussing on orphan, PUMA and repurposing as well as technology platforms like liposomals, long acting depots & implants, ready-to administer parenterals (of lyophilised forms), buffered effervescent etc.
Our judges recognized Accord for the firm’s “100 plus commercialised INNs, three biosimilars and innovative products such as long acting depots & implants” which demonstrated “clear BD excellence.” Moreover, they commented, “the ustekinumab deal in particular, appears to be a real coup for Accord with value added features. Accord’s reach in the generic space goes far beyond the usual European partners.”
Adalvo
PharmEvo
Anil has over 15 years of professional working experience in the industry with an impressive track record as an experienced international leader managing over 100 headcounts spread in more than 20 countries worldwide. He set up the Adalvo business in its entirety, and has been the driver of the company's impressive and fast growth.
Our judges observed that “Anil has done an impressive job of turning a sideline function of Alvogen into a proper business that is growing rapidly and challenging established entities in the market place,” adding that the entry had demonstrated “clear, well argued and broad objectives with equally clear evidence of delivery.”
Binish Chudgar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Intas Pharmaceuticals
Peter Goldschmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Stada
Alpha Indraccolo, VP and General Counsel, European IP and Regulatory Litigation, Teva
Hyoung-Ki Kim, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Celltrion Healthcare
Celltrion, a leading global pharmaceutical company and innovator in biologics, has been at the forefront of improving patient access to innovative therapeutics. Advancing technologies have enabled further innovations in biologic development, resulting in medicines that offer benefits beyond those offered by the reference biologics, or their biosimilars. Innovation in biosimilars has recently been achieved with the development of Remsima® SC, with changes in both the formulation and route of administration relative to the intravenous (IV) administered Remsima®. It is Celltrion’s aim to pioneer uncharted areas of innovative therapies, incorporating unique and successful next-generational approaches, to promote health and welfare globally.
Our judges described Remsima SC as a “very important advancement in the biological Value Added Medicines sector, with a true added value of patients being able to receive treatment at home.” The product “adds a new option to the portfolio of rheumatology disease biologics that are used with self-injection devices and the first line extension of the kind that comes from biosimilar producer.” They called it “the first true biologic value added medicine that is redefining what it means to be an innovative biosimilar,” adding that Celltrion was “ambitious, driven … and growth is visible in quarterly results.”
Eurofarma Laboratórios
Celltrion has been regarded as a ‘first-mover’ in the biopharmaceutical industry following its development of the world’s first antibody biosimilar, Remsima®. From that day forwards, the biosimilar revolution began, as Celltrion Healthcare’s sales overtook the original drug’s market share in the monopoly market. However, as the biosimilar market gained momentum, competition also intensified and companies exploring biosimilar development needed to consider the sustainability of its product. With this in mind, Celltrion did not settle for being a purely biosimilars developer but researched innovative ways to provide value-added medicines in anticipation of these medicines becoming a ‘game changer’ in the future.
Our judges said the “development and launch of a SC formulation of infliximab deserves to be the winner,” demonstrating “clear innovation capabilities by biosimilar developers and a prediction of more value-added medicines in the biosimilars space.” Remsima SC “is redefining the role of biosimilars within the off-patent space,” our judges said, while Celltrion was commended for its “broad yet innovative and focused approach.”
mAbxience
Shanghai Henlius Biotech
Xcenda
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder and a major cause of preventable death and disability in Sub Saharan Africa where the disease burden is greatest (84%). SCD will affect about 14m newborns by 2050. Sandoz HU is a generic of Siklos but with an improved pediatric-friendly formulation. HU is known for its very bitter taste so the Sandoz team added sweeteners and flavors to improve taste while also simplifying the need to dissolve the tablets for children (without the need for additional juice). This pediatric-friendly version meets a significant unmet need as the disease burden is highest among children.
Our judges described this as “excellent work to assist a typically, under-privileged part of society in managing a horrible disease,” noting that “the outcome was achieved rapidly, including quick approval through great collaboration. This appears a truly innovative regulatory approach to help fight disease in sub-Saharan Africa.”
BioApprovals
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
Lupin
As with many other companies, Rephine has had to adapt its service offering and develop initiative solutions to continue to support our partners within the industry during this global pandemic. Rephine has successfully implemented a remote audit program and expanded its auditing team globally which has enabled continued qualification of suppliers worldwide.
Rephine has also continued to support the industry with its GMP Audit Library which is continuing to grow. The expansion of other GMP services, Research QA services, regulatory affairs and RephineSourcing, continues to complement this perfectly. Our judges said Rephine had made an “important contribution in times of travel restrictions and globalisation”, describing the organization as “an essential partner for the industry in order to have kept it functioning during the difficult times and issues raised by the pandemic.” Its assistance in important regulatory processes were described as “critical to increasing access.”
Pinsent Masons
West Pharmaceutical Services
In February 2021, Sandoz announced an agreement to acquire GSK’s global cephalosporin antibiotics business. Closing of the transaction has given Sandoz rights to three established brands (Zinnat®, Zinacef® and Fortum®) in more than 100 markets, further reinforcing its leading global position in antibiotics. The planned acquisition forms part of a broader Sandoz strategy to invest in building a leading global antibiotics position for the long term. In May 2021, Sandoz also announced plans to invest more than €150m in its uniquely vertically-integrated, European-based antibiotics production network.
Our judges said the deal “not only fits perfectly with Sandoz's existing footprint and strategy but also plays into the wider theme of improving Europe's self-sufficiency in key medicines.” Meanwhile “synergies are considered to be achievable, which is a key part of a successful acquisition.”
Amneal
Dr. Reddy’s API showed a strong commitment as a reliable API supplier to global formulating companies but also to take on the challenge of being part of the solution to address the pandemic. The nomination reflects on Dr. Reddy’s efforts to bring science, technology, and innovation together to provide a COVID-19 portfolio from prevention (SPUTNIK V) to cure (Remedesivir, Favipiravir, etc..). At the same time, the team was able to respond to the increased demand for high-quality APIs, which resulted in 24% growth and helped its partners ensure their medicines are available wherever and whenever needed.
Our judges said that Dr Reddy’s had demonstrated a “great performance during COVID,” exhibiting “great flexibility during the crisis’ tremendous market expansion.”
R L Fine Chem
The case involved clopidgrel – a drug sold by Sanofi which were able to increase its monopoly term by avoiding disclosing critical information regarding the patent. Unipharm who delayed the launch of the generic drug sued Sanofi for return of its excessive profits. The supreme court of Israel issued a verdict accepting Unipharm’s claim and its entitlement to disgorge Sanofi's profits that shall be transferred to Unipharm. This supreme court ruling will be a game changer in the pharmaceutical arena, and might reflect in other countries, allowing generics players to defend against evergreening tactics.
Our judges said this represented “a significant move” and “one of the most useful potential outcomes of a litigation which could benefit healthcare providers across the globe. The issue of evergreening has many faces and any action that exposes misuse could be a gamechanger.”
Insud Pharma
Dr Reddy’s undertakes various CSR initiatives in the areas of Education, Health and Skilling and Livelihood to empower the communities. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, posed a challenge in reaching out to the communities, especially in this hour of need. The nationwide lockdown in India had severely impacted all the three pillars – education, healthcare and livelihood, affecting a huge population from the less privileged communities. Thus, staying true to its social commitment, in collaboration with its partners, the organization undertook several measures to support these communities to the best possible extent.
Our judges called this an “excellent, well rounded CSR programme with tangible KPIs and outcomes,” adding that “the CSR programme went beyond the immediate need of COVID-19 to support vulnerable communities in the long term” and “is targeting different areas of need in society.”
Beximco Pharmaceuticals
Hemofarm Foundation