Orion has a long history in the development of cancer drugs. Today, the research focuses on developing treatments for hormonal cancers, such as prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer “Urology and oncology are important research areas and also among our most important business areas. We aim to introduce new products to the markets in all of Europe. We are developing products of our own and we also license in products,” says Orion’s Medical Director, docent Paula Rytilä.
In-licensing means that Orion acquires marketing rights for patent-protected drugs and then sells them through its own sales organisations. Orion's current product portfolio includes an implant for the hormonal treatment of advanced prostate cancer and the only urinary incontinence treatment available in Europe that comes in the form of a transdermal patch.
Male sex hormones
are the key
Orion’s prostate cancer research focuses on pharmaceutical compounds which affect male sex hormone receptors. These receptors are located in the cell nucleus and mediate hormonal effects in the body.
“These kinds of compounds may have favourable effects on muscle mass and bones, for instance, but without the unfavourable effect of enlarging the prostate. This makes them suitable candidates for further development into drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer,” Rytilä explains.
Pharmaceutical R&D is
a significant investment area
Orion's annual spending on pharmaceutical R&D is almost EUR 100 million. In addition to developing proprietary products, Orion is also developing generic drugs, i.e. products based on active ingredients whose patents have already expired.
According to Paula Rytilä, pharmaceutical R&D is a long-term venture. There are no guaranteed results.
“The development proceeds step by step. Different phases of the process include researching and selecting the properties of the pharmaceutical ingredient and finding the suitable dosages and forms.”
A new investigantional pharmaceutical compound is first tested in laboratory conditions. If the ingredient is deemed safe, it can be tested with healthy test subjects and finally on a large scale with real patients. Throughout the different R&D stages, Orion cooperates with universities, research institutes and other pharmaceutical companies.
Text Matti Välimäki