Profile: Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc (MNTA.OQ)

MNTA.OQ on NASDAQ Stock Exchange Global Select Market

16.53USD
1 Aug 2013
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Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Momenta), incorporated on May 17, 2001, is a biotechnology company specializing in the characterization and process engineering of complex molecules. These complex molecules include proteins, polypeptides, and cell surface polysaccharides, such as heparan-sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). This results in a diversified product pipeline of complex generic, follow-on biologic (FOB) and novel drugs. The Company’s complex generic programs target marketed products, which were originally approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as New Drug Applications (NDAs). Its M356, is designed to be a generic version of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection), a drug that is indicated for the reduction of the frequency of relapses in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). During the year ended December 31, 2011, it acquired the assets of Virdante. On February 13, 2012 it entered into a global collaboration with Baxter International Inc. The collaboration is named a s Baxter Agreement under which the Company agreed to collaborate in order to develop and commercialize two follow-on biologic products.

Product Programs-Complex Generic and Follow-On Biologics

The Company’s pipeline of Complex Generic and FOBs programs uses the Company’s technology platform across three categories, which include heparins (enoxaparin sodium injection), polypeptides (M356), and therapeutic proteins. Enoxaparin sodium injection is a generic version of Lovenox. Lovenox is a complex polysaccharide chains. The length and sequence of the polysaccharide chains vary, resulting in a diversity of chemical structures in the mixture. The description in the package insert of Lovenox includes molecular weight distribution and in-vitro measurements of Lovenox's ability to inhibit blood clotting factors Xa and IIa, or its anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity. Similarly, the in vitro measures of anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity describe certain aspects of anticoagulation but only partly define the biological and clinical activity of Lovenox. Lovenox is distributed worldwide by Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, or Sanofi-Aventis, and is also known outside the United States as Clexane and Klexane.

The Company has formed collaboration with Sandoz N.V. and Sandoz Inc., affiliates of Novartis AG. Sandoz N.V, which it refers to as the 2003 Sandoz Collaboration. Sandoz N.V. later assigned its rights and obligations under the 2003 Sandoz Collaboration to Sandoz AG, and the Company refers to Sandoz AG and Sandoz Inc. together as Sandoz. Under the 2003 Sandoz Collaboration, the Company and Sandoz agreed to develop, manufacture and commercialize enoxaparin sodium injection in the United States. Under its 2006 Sandoz Collaboration, the Company and Sandoz AG agreed to jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize enoxaparin sodium injection in the United States.

Product Candidates-Novel Drugs

The Company’s novel drug research and development program uses the characterization and process engineering capabilities from its complex generic and FOB programs, with a focus on cell surface polysaccharides, and therapeutic proteins. M402 is a novel polysaccharide-based product candidate and is engineered to have potent anti-cancer properties and low anticoagulant activity. Polysaccharide-based compounds like heparin are complex molecules present in the tumor microenvironment which present growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines necessary for tumor cell growth, migration and survival. M402 is designed to exploit this biology by binding to and down regulating multiple factors involved in disease progression and metastasis. A preclinical study, in collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute (Cambridge, the United Kingdom), demonstrated the efficacy of M402 in a murine pancreatic cancer model. The study showed that M402, in combination with gemcitabine, significantly improved survival and substantially lowered the incidence of metastasis compared to mice treated with gemcitabine alone. The Company’s other novel drug candidate, adomiparin, has been engineered to possess therapeutic profile compared with other marketed anticoagulants to support the treatment of ACS.

The Company competes with GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sanofi-Aventis, Merck KGaA, Pfizer Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, EMD Serono, Inc., Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Keryx Pharmaceuticals, Endotis Pharmaceuticals, Merck and Company, Inc., Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec Inc. and Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Company Address

Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc

675 West Kendall Street
CAMBRIDGE   MA   02142
P: +1617.4919700
F: +1617.6210431

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