BioCryst Names Er-Kim Pharmaceuticals as Commercial Partner in Turkey for HAE Drug

Rare Daily Staff

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals said it has entered into a collaboration with Er-Kim Pharmaceuticals to commercialize Orladeyo, its therapy to treat hereditary angioedema, in Turkey.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, severely debilitating genetic condition with a prevalence of between 1 in 33,000 to 1 in 67,000 people that is characterized by sudden episodes of swelling. HAE symptoms include recurrent episodes of edema in various locations, including the hands, feet, face, genitalia, and airway. Airway swelling is particularly dangerous and can lead to death by asphyxiation. In addition, patients often have bouts of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting caused by swelling in the intestinal wall.

Orladeyo, the first and only oral therapy developed for the prevention of hereditary angioedema, is a plasma kallikrein inhibitor indicated to prevent attacks of HAE in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older. By inhibiting plasma kallikrein, Orladeyo suppresses bradykinin production. Bradykinin is the mediator of acute swelling attacks in HAE patients.

Er-Kim is an international pharmaceutical company based in Istanbul, Turkey, which specializes in partnering with biopharmaceutical companies to commercialize new products in global markets. With broad experience in a wide range of areas, including rare diseases, Er-Kim has worked with its affiliates to deliver more than 70 innovative treatments, including the latest standards of care, to patients around the world.

“We continue our mission to make Orladeyo available to as many patients living with hereditary angioedema around the world as possible by partnering with companies that have deep expertise in commercializing rare disease therapies. We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Er-Kim, our sixth global distribution partner for Orladeyo, as their wealth of experience delivering novel therapies to patients in Turkey makes them the ideal partner to bring our oral, once-daily prophylactic treatment to HAE patients in this important market,” said Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst.

Photo: Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst