Human Genome well prepared for Benlysta launch with GSK; seeking more deals

Human Genome Sciences (Nasdaq: HGSI) is moving to becoming a fully commercial organization with sustainable revenues and multiple opportunities to drive future growth, president and chief executive Thomas Watkins told financial analysts and investors at the 29th annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.

“Based on the opportunities we have in hand and our expectation of US and European regulatory approvals of Benlysta (belimumab), we believe HGS will achieve sustainable multi-billion dollar annual revenues by 2015,” said Mr Watkins, adding: “2011 will be a game-changing year for us assuming approval and launch of Benlysta as the first new drug for lupus in over 50 years. HGS has systematically hired and carefully trained a specialized commercial team that we believe is second to none in their experience and familiarity with rheumatology, biologics and infused products. We are ready to hit the ground running alongside GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) following Food and Drug Administration approval of Benlysta.”

The FDA is set to make a decision on March 10 and European approval is expected in the second half of this year.