Pharmaxis short-listed for Prix Galien UK award

Australia’s Pharmaxis (ASX:PSX) is one of six companies short-listed for a Prix Galien UK Orphan Drug Award.

Prix Galien is an internationally recognised award covering innovations in pharmaceutical R&D. This year, 14 products from 12 companies are competing across two categories - the Orphan Drug Award and the Innovative Product Award.

Pharmaxis has been short-listed for Bronchitol, its spray-dried formulation of mannitol for cystic fibrosis patients.

The short list also includes several multinational biotechs which also have a presence in Australia. Celgene has been selected for refractory multiple myeloma treatment Imnovid, while Janssen UK is on the list for drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment Sirturo.

Novartis subsidiary Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics made the cut for Bexsero, an active immunisation against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B. Bayer was selected for Xofigo, a treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Astellas Pharma has been short-listed for two drugs, Clostridium difficile treatment Dificlir and prostate cancer drug Xtandi. Lundbeck was selected for Selincro, designed to reduce alcohol consumption in patients with alcohol dependence. Genzyme was chosen for MS drug Lemtrada.

The 2014 competition had attracted a record number of entrants. It covers products that were launched or granted a new indication in the UK between the start of 2012 and March 2014.

The awards are being judged by a team led by Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, president of the Royal Society of Medicine.

The other short-listed biotechs are Norgine Pharmaceuticals, ThromboGenics, InterMune UK & Ireland and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.