Pharma global manufacturing: improving environment in the UK
Rebecca Aris
pharmaphorum
It came as a huge shock when, in 2011, Pfizer announced that it was to close its UK research site at Sandwich in Kent. The move resulted in the loss of around 2,400 jobs.
But the UK environment is changing and a far more positive atmosphere is emerging in the UK life science industry. Just last week, Eisai announced that it would be transferring its global manufacturing of its new epilepsy medicine, Fycompa, to its Hatfield site in the UK.
Visiting the Hatfield site, I was able to witness David Willetts (Minister of State for Universities and Science) attending the site and formally opening the UK Fycompa solid dose manufacturing facilities at the Hatfield site.
Figure 1: David Willetts attending the Hatfield Eisai site, shortly before formally opening the UK Fycompa solid dose manufacturing facilities
“In the strategy for UK life sciences the Government set out ambitious plans for the UK to be the best place in the world for companies to invest in innovation. The move by Eisai is an excellent example of the continued success of the UK’s life science industry and will support hundreds of highly skilled jobs. New investments of this nature greatly improve discovery, development and uptake of innovative new medicines in the UK, brining benefits for patients and driving long-term, sustainable growth.”
David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science
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"But the environment is changing and a far more positive atmosphere is emerging in the UK life science industry."
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So why the UK?
The two key things that are of importance to Eisai are a stable market and patient access to treatments, both of which the UK can offer. Another attractive aspect of the UK is that the government are more accessible and being able to talk to government makes collaboration more likely.
In addition, access to quality with regards to skills and manufacturing are also on offer in the UK. Furthermore, the Patent Box makes the UK more favourable.
Historically, Eisai has favoured the Spanish market due to its excellent access and quick uptake but with increasing unemployment there and a huge reduction in the market stability, the UK has become a more attractive option.
Figure 2: David Willetts attending the Hatfield Eisai site with Gary Hendler, Vice President, President, EMEA Region, President &, CEO, Eisai Europe Ltd
Background of Fycompa
Fycompa was initially developed in the UK for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and neuropathic pain. As with many drugs in development it didn’t show sufficient promise in the disease area that it had been intended to treat. It did, however, show promise for epilepsy and became the first in an entirely new class of treatment for uncontrolled partial epilepsy (the most common form of the condition).
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"Interestingly, NICE has decided not to review the medicine."
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Lack of NICE review
Interestingly, NICE has decided not to review the medicine. So what does this mean for patients? A positive aspect of this decision is that patients had instant access to the treatment. NICE evaluations take 6–12 months to implement, and yet patients had access to Fycompa on the day it was launched (12th September 2012).
What next for Eisai and UK manufacturing?
Eisai has more products in the pipeline, which could impact on the UK facilities in the areas of MS and pain management. These include a beta-secretase inhibitor that could have implications in Alzheimer’s, which is due to go into phase two early next year, maintaining their presence in the CNS space. Eisai also has a healthy pipeline in oncology.
But will more pharma companies be following suit and transferring manufacturing to the UK? There appears to be no such moves in the foreseeable future. Takeda has just established a manufacturing site in Russia demonstrating its focus on the emerging markets. Meanwhile, Pfizer and AZ have undergone structural change to adopt an open innovation model.
In order for the UK market to remain attractive to companies such as Eisai, stability in the market must remain. Only time will tell whether VBP will positively impact on patient access and uptake and keep the market steady.
What is clear is that for now, a far more positive atmosphere is emerging in the UK.
An interview in this area with Gary Hendler, President &, CEO, EMEA &, Russia of Eisai will be published within the next month.
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About the author:
Rebecca Aris is Managing Editor of pharmaphorum, the primary facilitator of thought leadership and innovation for the pharmaceutical industry featuring news, articles, events / company listings and online discussion.
Rebecca was the first full time employee to join pharmaphorum, starting in her current role in mid-2010, and is responsible for coordinating all editorial content on the site. Prior to working at pharmaphorum she was a medical writer at a healthcare PR agency. In addition, she spent three years working as a commissioning editor on three journal titles at a biomedical publishing company. Rebecca holds a BSc (Hons) in pharmaceutical science.
For queries she can be reached through the site contact form or via Twitter @Rebecca_Aris.
What next for pharma manufacturing in the UK?
