Full Press Release Details
Kamada Announces Receipt of Marketing Authorization
for Glassia for Treatment of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in Switzerland
REHOVOT, Israel, and Hoboken, NJ - May
16, 2023 -- Kamada Ltd. (NASDAQ: KMDA; TASE: KMDA.TA), a commercial stage global biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of
marketed products indicated for rare and serious conditions and a leader in the specialty plasma-derived field, today announced that Swissmedic
has granted marketing authorization for Glassia [Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)] in Switzerland for chronic augmentation and
maintenance therapy in adults with clinically evident emphysema due to severe hereditary Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).
"Switzerland is the first European country
to approve Glassia for AATD, representing a significant milestone for Kamada, in a market which is currently estimated to be over $15
million annually," said Amir London, Kamada's Chief Executive Officer. "The commercial launch of the product in Switzerland
is expected to occur during the second half of this year, upon obtaining the required reimbursement coverage. To ensure wide access to
eligible patients, we are excited to partner with the IDEOGEN Group, a company focused on the commercialization of specialty medicines
for rare diseases across Europe."
"We are delighted to announce our partnership
with Kamada for the commercialization of Glassia in Switzerland. IDEOGEN is focused on rapidly introducing essential U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)-approved therapies that enhance patients' quality of life into the European markets and serving as a reliable
partner for leading international biopharmaceutical companies," stated H. Tuygan G ker, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of IDEOGEN
Group. "With Glassia's expanded label and the advantage of a ready-to-infuse liquid form, the product represents a compelling
treatment alternative for AATD patients in Switzerland. Currently, according to the official Swiss Alpha-1 Patient Registry, approximately
200 patients are undergoing treatment for this devastating medical condition. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 1,400 patients
remain undiagnosed and unaware of their developing AATD. Our specialized medical and clinical expertise, as well as our operational agility
and expertise, in combination with Glassia's product profile, have the potential to positively impact the current AATD treatment
landscape in Switzerland."
Glassia previously received
FDA approval in 2010, and the product is approved for use in multiple other international markets, including Argentina, Russia, Israel,
and Brazil. In the U.S., Kamada currently receives royalties, anticipated to be in the range of $10 million to $20 million per year through
2040, for Glassia from Takeda. Ex-U.S. sales of Glassia were approximately $6 million in 2022.
In addition to its focus
on expanding the commercialization of Glassia in the international markets, Kamada is also committed to advancing the development of an
Inhaled AAT treatment, conducting the InnovAATe study, an ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of Inhaled AAT for patients with AATD.
The Company intends to meet with the FDA and the European Medicines Agency to discuss study progress and potential opportunities to shorten
regulatory pathways in the first half of 2023.
is an Alpha1 -Proteinase Inhibitor (Human), indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in individuals with clinically
evident emphysema due to severe hereditary deficiency of Alpha1, also known as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. GLASSIA increases
antigenic and functional (anti-neutrophil elastase capacity, ANEC) serum levels and antigenic lung epithelial lining fluid levels of Alpha1.
Kamada Ltd. (the "Company") is a commercial
stage global biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of marketed products indicated for rare and serious conditions and a leader in
the specialty plasma-derived field, focused on diseases of limited treatment alternatives. The Company is also advancing an innovative
development pipeline targeting areas of significant unmet medical need. The Company's strategy is focused on driving profitable
growth from its significant commercial catalysts as well as its manufacturing and development expertise in the plasma-derived and biopharmaceutical
fields. The Company's commercial products portfolio includes six FDA approved plasma-derived biopharmaceutical products: CYTOGAM ,
KEDRAB , WINRHO SDF , VARIZIG , HEPAGAM B and GLASSIA , as well as KAMRAB , KAMRHO (D) and two types of
equine-based anti-snake venom (ASV) products. The Company distributes its commercial products portfolio directly, and through strategic
partners or third-party distributors in more than 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Israel, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, India,
Australia and other countries in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. The Company leverages its expertise and presence in the
Israeli market to distribute, for use in Israel, more than 25 pharmaceutical products that are supplied by international manufacturers
and during recent years added eleven biosimilar products to its Israeli distribution portfolio, which, subject to the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) and the Israeli Ministry of Health approvals, are expected to be launched in Israel through 2028. The Company owns an FDA
licensed plasma collection center in Beaumont, Texas, which currently specializes in the collection of hyper-immune plasma used in the
manufacture of KAMRHO (D) . In addition to the Company's commercial operation, it invests in research and development of new
product candidates. The Company's leading investigational product is an inhaled AAT for the treatment of AAT deficiency, for which
it is continuing to progress the InnovAATe clinical trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 3 trial. FIMI
Opportunity Fund, the leading private equity investor in Israel, is the Company's lead shareholder, beneficially owning approximately
21% of the outstanding ordinary shares.
Ideogen Group GmbH is a Swiss, privately-owned,
specialty pharmaceutical and disease management company addressing unmet medical needs in Oncology, Hematology, and Rare/Orphan diseases,
along with a diverse range of other therapeutic areas. With a strong track record in navigating the commercialization process, Ideogen
guides unlicensed products through Managed Access Programs (MAP) to achieve licensed sales of registered assets. Ideogen's comprehensive
approach encompasses all aspects of the value chain, including regulatory, market access, pricing, and reimbursement strategies, as well
as product commercialization in Europe, MENA, Russia/CIS. Ideogen's accomplishments to date are driven by a robust in-house medical and
clinical team, experienced key account management professionals, and established partner relationships in specialized settings that demand
geography-specific solutions. This unique combination of expertise enables Ideogen to excel in delivering life-changing therapies to patients
at the speed of life. With its headquarters in Switzerland, sub-regional hubs in Austria, Netherlands, and Spain supported by field presence
in Germany, France, Italy, UK and a regional hub in Turkey catering to Turkish, Middle East, and Russia/CIS markets, Ideogen boasts a
wide-reaching presence that covers Europe and Eurasia effectively. Continuously striving to transform into a pioneer, Ideogen is actively
expanding its capabilities by entering the high-value injectables Gene Therapy manufacturing space in the EU. This strategic move will
position Ideogen as a vertically integrated, specialty pharmaceutical organization with comprehensive CDMO capabilities, ready to meet
the emerging needs of the next generation of personalized medicine.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements
regarding: 1) The expected date of the commercial launch of the product in Switzerland in the second half of 2023, 2) obtaining the required
reimbursement coverage for the product in Switzerland, 3) the impact of the partnership between Kamada and Ideogen on the current AATD
treatment landscape in Switzerland, 3) expectation of receiving GLASSIA royalties in the range of $10 million to $20 million per year
through 2040, 4) intention to meet with the FDA and European Medicines Agency during the first half of 2023 to discuss study progress
and potential opportunities to shorten the regulatory pathway, 5) planned distribution of a portfolio of 11 biosimilar products, expected
to be launched upon receipt of Israeli regulatory approval, through 2028, 6) the estimates AATD market in Switzerland of $15 million annually,
and 7) the estimated unaware and undiagnosed 1,400 AATD patients in Switzerland. Forward-looking statements are based on Kamada's
current knowledge and its present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as a result of several factors including, but not limited to, availability of sufficient raw materials required to maintain manufacturing
plans, continued utilization of Kamada's Israeli manufacturing site, continuation of inbound and outbound international delivery
routes, continued demand for the IgG product portfolio, FDA and international health authorities' approval process, financial conditions
of the Company's customers, suppliers and services providers, Kamada's ability to integrate the new product portfolio into
its current product portfolio, Kamada's ability to grow the revenues of its new product portfolio, and leverage and expand its international
distribution network, Kamada's ability to manage operating expenses, additional competition in the markets that Kamada competes,
regulatory delays, prevailing market conditions and the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the U.S., Israel
or otherwise, and other risks detailed in Kamada's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
including those discussed in its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and in any subsequent reports on Form 6-K, each of which is on
file or furnished with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements made herein speak
only as of the date of this announcement and Kamada undertakes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by law.
Chief Executive Officer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC