News Focus
News Focus
Replies to #92935 on Biotech Values
icon url

DewDiligence

03/22/10 3:29 PM

#92937 RE: dewophile #92935

MNTA:

…characterizing a mix of polypeptides is easier than sugars

Absolutely correct. Because it’s 100% synthetic and has no biologically sourced API, Copaxone is easier than Lovenox to reverse engineer to the lot-to-lot tolerance of the branded product.

If the FDA approves generic Lovenox via the 505j (ANDA) pathway, generic Copaxone ought to be no problem for MNTA, IMO.
icon url

genisi

03/22/10 4:30 PM

#92946 RE: dewophile #92935

In the process of making Copaxone you need to create the polypeptides of the mixture. During the polymerization the order of adding the four amino acids is important and so is the ratio. Even if replicated and the formulation contains the necessary components, in the same amounts, it may not be in the same sequence proportions. Change one bit and the process yields different polymers of differing sequence. So, if you don't know all steps of the original process you need to reverse engineer it. This is far more difficult than purification and analysis of sugars. MNTA has reverse engineer the Copaxone production process but I believe they will have to prove they end up with an identical product.