Biosergen and Alkem Labs collaborate on antifungals research

Swedish biotech Biosergen (Nasdaq Nordic) saw its shares close down 14.4% at 1.37 kronor yesterday after it revealed a co-development and licensing deal with Indian drugmaker Alkem Laboratories for BSG005, an innovative polyene macrolide, through Phase II and phase III trials for sale in the Indian market.

Biosergen is developing BSG005 for the treatment of severe and difficult-to-treat invasive fungal diseases. After the successful completion of two Phase I studies, the first patient trial will be conducted in India on patients with severe fungus disease, who are intolerant or resistant to treatment with Amphotericin B. India is one of the countries with the highest incidence of difficult-to-treat life-threatening fungal infections.

Alkem is a leader in the anti-infective market, with clinical development expertise and an established commercial infrastructure. Moreover, Alkem has 144 ANDAs, two manufacturing sites and two R&D sites in the US market. Alkem, with its established clinical development engine and access to a broad clinical network, will prove to be a strong corporate partner for Biosergen.