Facts about Pronova BioPharma

Pronova BioPharma is a global leader in the research, development and manufacture of marine-originated omega-3 derived pharmaceutical products.

Pronova BioPharma ASA has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Pronova BioPharma Norge AS and Pronova BioPharma Danmark AS. The headquarter is located at Lysaker, Norway.

A listed company: Pronova BioPharma is listed on Oslo Børs, ticker PRON

Number of employees: About 330 full time equivalents

Revenues 2009: NOK 1,789.8 million (+37.5 per cent growth).
EBITDA 2009: NOK 823.4 million. EBITDA margin of 46 per cent

Long history: Core activities are founded upon marine-oil extracting and manufacturing traditions dating back to the 1900s, including a company called Johan C. Martens & Company in Bergen, Norway, a trader in fish and cod liver oil since 1838, and a company formed by Jahres Fabrikker in Sandefjord, Norway, a fish oil processing factory established in 1935

Product: Omacor® (brand name in Europe and Asia) / Lovaza™ (brand name in the US) - the first and only EU-and FDA-approved omega-3 derived prescription drug. Healthcare professionals can find more information on the product here.

Production: Pronova BioPharma’s production plants are located in Sandefjord, Norway and in Kalundborg, Denmark. Production capacity in 2009 is expected to be around 1 550-1 600 tonnes. The Kalundborg plant was officially opened 1 October 2009 and the first commercial shipment is expected in first quarter 2010 following necessary regulatory approvals achieved in foruth quarter 2009. The design capacity is 1,200 tonnes.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is manufactured through a complex process of purification (during which environmental pollutants are removed), bleaching and concentration (molecular distillation and urea complexation) of high grade fish oil in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The manufacturing processes include patented and proprietary steps producing a patented product containing a total concentration of 90 per cent omega-3 ethyl esters.

Distribution: Omacor and Lovaza is distributed in more than 46 countries around the world including the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom which are the seven major global pharmaceutical markets.

Partners: The product is mainly distributed by partners. Among these are GlaxoSmithKline (Reliant Pharmaceuticals), Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Prospa, Grupo Ferrer International, Pierre Fabre Santé and Kuhnil Pharmaceutical. Pronova BioPharma is the distributor in Norway.

Research & development: Pronova BioPharma believes that a new generation of naturally derived pharmaceuticals will emerge from research and development within the marine area. The company actively participates in programs that cover bioprospecting projects that screen marine compounds through professional drug discovery programs. Identified leads are tested compounds through established network including research organisations and universities.