Cosmo Pharmaceuticals is an Italian-based speciality pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of optimized therapies for selected gastro-intestinal diseases. The company’s proprietary clinical development pipeline specifically addresses innovative treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as for colon infections and selected topically treated skin disorders.

Cosmo’s lead product Lialda, the first product based on the drug delivery technology, was launched into the US market by Shire Pharmaceuticals in 2007. The royalty income from Lialda allows the company to develop the clinical stage programs and still retain profitability. Budesonide, the company’s key pipeline project, is being developed for the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Cosmo reported positive clinical data from both the US and the EU Phase III study, with the EU filing expected in the first half of 2011 followed by the US submission in the second half of 2011. Budesonide is licensed to Santarus for the US market and to Ferring for all other territories.

Additional pipeline projects include reformulated Rifamycin for the treatment of traveller’s diarrhea and Clostridium difficile, which is in an earlier stage of development. Cosmo has strengthened its balance sheet substantially through the acquisition of BioXell, an Italian-based biotechnology company. 

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