Journal of Austrian Chemistry

Journal for the Chemical Industry in Austria

International

Dr. Gottlieb to present XBiotech’s research on Hidradenitis

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XBiotech announced today that Dr. Alice Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D., will be giving the presentation “Bermekimab Shows Efficacy for Treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), Including Marked Reduction in Pain” during the afternoon session on March 2nd, 2019 at the American Aacademy of Dermatology annual meeting being held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  The presentation, which was accepted as “late-breaking research: clinical trials,” will provide details of the Company’s recent Phase II clinical trial results in 42 HS patients that received 400mg subcutaneous weekly doses of bermekimab in a 12-week treatment regimen.

The study involved two treatment groups of subjects: those who had failed prior anti-TNF therapy (n=24); and those with no prior anti-TNF treatment history (n=18). 

The study’s Chair, Dr. Alice Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical  Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY, commented, “I am looking forward to presenting these very exciting results for a new drug that can help address a significant unmet need for patients suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa.”

A major finding in the study was a significant treatment-related reduction of pain in the HS patients. Pain is widely recognized among experts as a key objective for HS treatment, but this symptom has been largely unaddressed by available approved therapies. No approved monotherapy for HS has shown a significant effect on pain1.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder affecting areas rich in apocrine glands. Nodules appear in the affected areas and progressively become swollen with spontaneous rupture and release of pus. This process occurs repeatedly leading to formation of deep sinus tracts and painful dermal abscesses. Pain is a paramount condition in patients suffering from HS, as this chronic inflammation and accompanying pain account for the fact that HS is ranked first among skin disorders in terms of adversely affecting quality of life. The global prevalence for HS is estimated at up to 4% of the population.

Header Photo Credit: Dermatology World

Solenis and BASF Complete Merger of Paper and Water Chemicals Businesses

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Following the approval of all relevant authorities, BASF and Solenis have completed the previously announced merger of BASF’s wet-end Paper and Water Chemicals business with Solenis. With pro forma sales of approximately U.S. $3 billion, the combined company will operate under the Solenis brand and is positioned to provide expanded chemical offerings and cost-effective solutions for customers in pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power, municipal and other industrial markets.

BASF will own 49 percent of the combined company and 51 percent is collectively owned by Solenis management and funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). The new Solenis has approximately 5,200 employees, with increased sales, service and production capabilities across the globe.

Solenis Logo

The merger includes the Paper and Water assets of BASF’s Performance Chemicals unit, including production sites in Bradford and Grimsby, UK; Suffolk, Virginia, USA; Altamira, Mexico; Ankleshwar, India; and Kwinana, Australia and related assets including intellectual property. BASF’s paper coating chemical business is not part of the transaction.

“Combining our strong heritages creates the leading customer-focused, global solutions provider for the paper and water industries. Customers from these industries will benefit from our joint strengths, resulting in an unparalleled and complementary range of products and services, state-of-the-art innovations and know-how,” said John Panichella, president and CEO, Solenis.

“Joining forces with Solenis is the right step for BASF’s Paper and Water Chemicals business to maintain sustainable growth. Together, we will provide the broadest scope of products and services to meet the specialty chemical needs of the global paper and water industry,” added Anup Kothari, president of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. “Bringing together these two highly successful and complementary businesses creates an even stronger global enterprise with enhanced prospects for long-term growth and value creation,” said David Scheible, chairman of Solenis and operating advisor to CD&R.