Critical Care Products

We have launched and are developing a number of products which have applications in medical emergencies such as overdose, poisoning and life-threatening infections. Typically such products sell for a high price and are targeted at specialist clinicians in the critical care setting.

CroFab™ [Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine)] and DigiFab™ [Digoxin Immune Fab (Ovine)] are both sold in the US by our marketing partner Fougera Inc, a division of Nycomed (previously Altana Inc). DigiFab™ is distributed in most mainland European countries by our licensee, Beacon Pharmaceuticals, and distributed in Germany and the Nordic countries by us.

We also potentially have two blockbuster opportunities in our critical care franchise. CytoFab™ is being developed by AstraZeneca for the treatment of severe sepsis, with results from the first phase 2 study expected towards the end of 2008 or early in 2009.

In addition, the Company has in-licensed the intellectual property from Glenveigh (a small, private US-based company) relating to the use of anti-digoxin polyclonal antibody fragments such as DigiFab™ and GSK’s Digibind® in the treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Glenveigh has completed a phase 2b study with Digibind® and Protherics has reported the topline results in the first half of 2008, but is still evaluating the data to assess its impact.

For more information on our critical care products please click on the product name.

Products

TECHNOLOGY USE STATUS PARTNER MARKET SIZE*
CroFab™
Ovine polyclonal antibody fragment (Fab) Mild to moderate Crotalid (pit viper) envenomation Launched in US (2001);
Available on named patient basis within EU
Nycomed in US until 2010 Market potential estimated at up to US$70-80 million in the US
DigiFab™
Ovine polyclonal antibody fragment (Fab) Treatment of life-threatening digoxin toxicity or overdose Launched in US (2002); available on a named patient basis in EU;
Under review by the MHRA for approval in the UK and by Health Canada for approval in Canada
Nycomed in US until 2010 Global market size estimated at US$30-35 million
ViperaTAb™
Ovine polyclonal antibody fragment (Fab) Vipera berus (Common European adder) envenomation Sold on named patient basis in EU Swedish Orphan International AB (Scandinavia & Baltic countries); Protherics (rest of Europe) Market opportunity estimated at up to US$5 million


Research and Development

TECHNOLOGY USE STATUS PARTNER MARKET
CytoFab™
Ovine polyclonal antibody fragment (Fab) Severe sepsis AstraZeneca phase 2 programme ongoing AstraZeneca Up to US$8 billion globally
Digoxin Immune Fabs (Digibind® (GSK) or DigiFab™)
Ovine polyclonal antibody fragment (Fab) Severe pre-eclampsia Phase 2b study in severe pre-eclampsia in the US with Digibind®; results reported and in evaluation TBD
2008-2009
>US$1 billion globally

* Company estimates
TBD = To be determined

Top of page