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Our defining moments

The entrepreneurship journey has taken us from a small dairy nestled in a tiny village to a state-of-the-art production facility with the capacity to meet the entire world’s demand for intravenous iron.

Our history from 1965

Pharmacosmos was established in 1965 by Henry Christensen MD, PhD, who was succeeded by his youngest son Lars Christensen, MD, as CEO in 1993. The company has since its establishment remained an independent family owned company.

The first 500 m2 manufacturing site - site Viby - was established in 1965 in a former dairy in a small village about 40 kilometres from the current site Holbaek. The original manufacturing site was expanded to approximately 1800 m2 in 1973.

Originally, the company was an API manufacturer of dextran powder of clinical grade, pharmacopoeial quality for production of infusion solutions and iron complexes. The API was and is still available in powder and/or bulk solutions for the manufacturing of veterinary iron dextran injection.

The company gained GMP approval from the Danish Ministry of Health early on, followed by a number of US FDA approvals after its first inspection in 1983.

2024

Acquisition of G1 Therapeutics Inc.

Pharmacosmos acquired G1 Therapeutics Inc. and its lead product Cosela®, a first-in-class therapy for patients with small cell lung cancer.
2022

CEO transition

After 28 years of leadership, Lars Christensen stepped down as CEO, and Tobias S. Christensen was appointed as the new CEO.

First ever hard endpoint Trial with IV iron

Investigator-lead landmark study in 1,137 patients with CHF and iron deficiency supported by the British Heart Foundation and Pharmacosmos, and published in the Lancet.
2021

Acquisition of Abfero Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Pharmacosmos acquired all rights for AbFero’s SP-420 to advance iron chelation therapies
2020

MONOFERRIC® LAUNCHED IN THE US

Monoferic was approved by FDA in January 2020 and launched in the US in October 2020.

PHARMACOSMOS SUBSIDARY ESTABLISHED IN CHINA

In 2020 Pharmacosmos etablished a subsidary in Beijing, China.
2019

PHARMACOSMOS SUBSIDARY ESTABLISHED IN THE US

2017

Pharmacosmos subsidary established in Germany

In 2017 Pharmacosmos etablished a subsidary in Wiesbaden in Germany.
2016

Pivotal studies for FDA registration

Head-to-Head study of risk of serious hypersensitivity with Monofer® versus iron sucrose in 3,000 patients with IDA
2015

Pharmacosmos 50th Anniversary

In 2015 Pharmacosmos celebrated its 50 years anniversary

Introduction of DEAE-Dextran

DEAE-Dextran is used for a number of applications hereunder as vaccine adjuvant, in gene therapy, and protein stabilization
2014

Expansion of site Holbaek

500 m2 Expansion of site Holbaek - synthesis of derivatives (DEAE and others).
2013

Diafer® approved

Diafer® regulatory approval and launch
2011

Uniferon® FDA approved

FDA approval of 10% and 20% Uniferon® in the US
2010

Pharmacosmos Subsidiary established in UK

In July 2010 Pharmacosmos UK Ltd, formerly Vitaline Pharmaceuticals Ltd, was established

Pharmacosmos Established its own Sales Activities in Scandinavia

In 2010 Pharmacosmos consolidated its sales activities in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
2009

Approval of Monofer®

Regulatory approval of Monofer® in 22 EU countries

Fully integrated pharmaceutical company

Establishment of own Clinical Research and Medical Affairs departments

Expansion in Holbaek

1500 m2 expansion of the site in Holbaek
2008

Registration of Uniferon®

Registration of Uniferon® in EU and Asia
2003

New manufacturing facility in Holbaek, Denmark

Inauguration of new 13.000 m2 cGMP manufacturing facility in Holbaek, Denmark - initiates transformation from API manufacturer to development and marketing of pharmaceutical specialties

Danish Medicines Agency

Danish Medicines Agency first inspection in Holbaek
2000

Cosmofer® approval

Approval of CosmoFer® in the EU
2004

Amersham Biosciences

Take over of clinical grade dextran supply from Amersham Biosciences
1994

Lars Christensen, MD, appointed CEO

1992

Supply agreement with Abbott

Supply agreement with Abbott and FDA approval for supply of API in the US
1989

Pharmacosmos Subsidiary established in US

In 1989 Pharmacosmos established a subsidiary in New Jersey in the US to support the sales of its veterinary products.
1988

FDA approval

FDA approval of 20% iron dextran bulk solution
1985

Viby factory

Expansion of the factory in Viby (laboratories)
1983

FDA approval of 10%

FDA approval of 10% iron dextran bulk solution for veterinary use
1973

First plant enlargement in Viby

The original manufacturing site was expanded to approximately 1800 m2 in 1973

Production of iron dextran

Initiation of iron dextran production
1965

The first manufacturing

The first 500 m2 manufacturing site was established in 1965 in a former dairy in a small village about 40 kilometres from the current site Holbaek