Israeli-Founded Pharma Firm Partners with Dutch Biotech Firm

Israeli-founded global pharmaceutical firm Medison Pharma, announced a multi-regional partnership with Dutch biotechnology company argenx, on Monday to commercialize its efgartigimod drug in 14 countries including Israel. 

Efgartigimod is approved in the United States for the treatment of adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), an autoimmune disorder that weakens multiple muscle groups throughout the body, thus impairing motor function. According to the announcement, the drug is also commonly used in Japan for the treatment of adults with gMG who do not have sufficient response to steroids or non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapies (ISTs).

The drug will also be commercialized in Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Greece, and Cyprus, in addition to Israel. 

Argenx was founded in 2008 and has since developed an “antibody innovation ecosystem,” or a pipeline of various immunology solutions to expedite the discovery of novel targets, disease pathways, and differentiated therapeutic antibodies.

Founded in 1996 by CEO Meir Jakobsohn, Medison Pharma is one of the largest commercial partners of leading global biotech companies worldwide, providing a comprehensive range of integrated services for biotech companies looking to enter or expand their presence in Israel, Canada and Central Eastern Europe. The firm also focuses on providing patients in international markets access to highly innovative therapies and actively invests in disruptive healthcare technologies rooted in biotech and digital health verticals. 

“We are on a mission to help patients with severe, rare diseases get faster access to highly innovative therapies, regardless of where they live in the world,” said Jakobsohn. “By partnering with argenx, we provide a force multiplier for this breakthrough therapy, helping to save and improve the lives of patients living with generalized myasthenia gravis.”

“We are proud to partner with argenx and help extend their reach to treat patients with severe autoimmune diseases in 14 countries,” said Victor Papamoniodis, VP of International Markets at Medison Pharma. “We look forward to utilizing our unique commercial platform and applying our expertise to facilitate faster access to this novel therapy for patients across all our markets.”