Basilea reports marketing authorization of their antifungal in Brazil

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today that its partner Grupo Biotoscana S.L. (“GBT”), received the regulatory approval and marketing authorization for the antifungal Cresemba (isavuconazole) in Brazil. GBT is Basilea’s distribution partner for Cresemba and the antibiotic Zevtera (ceftobiprole) in Latin America.

David Veitch, Basilea's Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased with the approval of Cresemba in Brazil, which is commercially the most important market for the brand in Latin America. We are looking forward to GBT launching Cresemba in Brazil, adding yet another market towards our goal of doubling the number of countries in which Cresemba is launched to 40 by the end of 2019. The market potential in these new countries and the continued growth in markets where the brand has been launched earlier, give us continued confidence in the long-term growth potential for Cresemba."

For the 12-month period of July 2018 to June 2019, total "in-market" sales of Cresemba amounted to approximately 180 million U.S. dollars (more than 35 percent growth year-on-year). David Veitch commented: "It is very reassuring to see the continued strong Cresemba "in-market" sales growth for all regions where the drug is currently launched. This confirms that Cresemba is addressing a high unmet medical need. Aspergillosis and mucormycosis have a devastating effect, adding to the impact of the underlying condition in patients with cancer, diabetes or undergoing transplantations."