Denmark

Medicon Valley, the Copenhagen - Malmo region between Denmark and Sweden, is one of the most dynamic European and global hubs in the medical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. The numerous companies located here have found an environment that suits their needs. Capital, human resources and efficient transport links abound, as well as a highly specialized and developed concentration of universities and other research-orientated institutions. One example of a firm that has found good footing in the valley is Polypeptide Laboratories.

The company was established in 1995 in Malmo and in Copenhagen, and has since expanded to include facilities in California, the Czech Republic and Germany. Turnover has been growing at 50 percent yearly since its establishment. Today, it stands at around $52.7 million and is still growing strongly.

Polypeptide Laboratories develops, manufactures and documents peptide and peptide technology-based products for global clients that include both blue chip pharmaceutical giants and small start-up biotechnology firms.

Managing Director Erik Lorentsen (right) and Sales and Marketing Director Kim Kjornaes (left) are turning their attention to Japan.

In plain language, the company is a bridge between discovery and clinical research and the commercial introduction and marketing of the final product.

Erik Lorentsen, Polypeptide's managing director, explains: "Companies approach us with a sequence, while we develop the structure and the method of manufacture. With the clients, we produce custom peptides and offer regulatory support. Our process is based on the principles of GMP (good manufacturing practice) and we execute on-time delivery. At the end of the day our aim is to be chosen as the manufacturer of the product."

The types of clients are varied, both big and small, he adds: "They could be big pharmaceutical companies or the small start-up biotech companies that you have never heard anything about. The latter are companies with a brand and an idea that are seeking foundations. They come to us because in order to do this they need to convince investors beforehand that they have a partner who can actually accomplish all this."

Besides the Customer Peptide business area, Polypeptides also produces Generic Peptides such as ACTH, Calcitonin and Vasopressin, among others. No one owns the patents and Polypeptides has its own documentation as well as considerable expertise for those that sell freely on the market.

A third area is Custom Synthesis and Catalogue Peptides that focus on universities and research organisations. This company department works with the leading research organizations and universities around the world. Batch sizes are small, but strategically very important. The company is thus substantially involved in research and development from a global perspective.

Polypeptide Laboratories' expertise in peptide chemistry is well known to customers, and also to the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulators worldwide. Cost effective full-scale manufacture and customer-dedicated project teams ensure the customer is the number one concern, which ultimately leads to a good bottom line.

Lorentsen emphasises the importance of relationships in the industry. "Customers are very dependent on long-term relationships with their suppliers," he explains. "In the pharmaceutical industry it may take three years to get a new supplier. They have to get new approval for every market they are working in when they introduce a new supplier."

Now well-established in North America and within Europe, one market that holds interesting partnership possibilities for the company is Japan. Polypeptides is now actively involved in the market and is setting up an office here. Judging by the success it has achieved in the other two main global markets, the company looks to Japan not only to provide new customers, partners and growth. Polypeptides will also be in a position to let its expertise help to further develop the Japanese biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

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