ViroPharma
| Company type | Public NASDAQ Biotechnology Index |
|---|---|
| Template:NASDAQ | |
| Industry | Healthcare, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical company |
| Founded | Exton, Pennsylvania, U.S. (1994) |
| Founder | Claude H. Nash Mark A. McKinlay Marc S. Collett Johanna A. Griffin Guy D. Diana |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Exton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Key people | Vincent Milano (Chairman and CEO) |
| Products | Vancocin |
| Revenue | 132,417,000 USD (2005) |
| 88,145,000 USD (2005) | |
| 113,705,000 USD (2005) | |
Number of employees | 232 |
| Website | www.viropharma.com |
ViroPharma Incorporated was a pharmaceutical enterprise dedicated to developing therapies for complex illnesses primarily managed by medical specialists and hospital settings. Its research and development efforts centered on viral pathogens affecting human health, notably cytomegalovirus (CMV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2013, the company was purchased by Shire in a deal valued near $4.2 billion, finalized in January 2014. ViroPharma was publicly traded on both the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the S&P 600.
The firm engaged in strategic alliances with industry leaders such as GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough, and Sanofi-Aventis. Its market footprint was further expanded in 2008 through the acquisition of Lev Pharmaceuticals.
History
Established in 1994 by Claude H. Nash (CEO), Mark A. McKinlay (VP of R&D), Marc S. Collett (VP of Discovery Research), Johanna A. Griffin (VP of Business Development), and Guy D. Diana (VP of Chemistry Research), none of these original founders remained active within the organization at the time it was acquired.
In November 2014, Shire plc completed its $4.2 billion purchase of ViroPharma, thereby strengthening its portfolio with orphan drug assets.
Marketed products
Vancocin Pulvules HCl: Acquired under license from Eli Lilly in 2004, this oral antibiotic is indicated for treatment of staphylococcal enterocolitis and Clostridioides difficile-associated pseudomembranous colitis, serving as a cornerstone product within ViroPharma’s offerings.
Pipeline
Maribavir is an oral antiviral agent licensed from GlaxoSmithKline in 2003, aimed at preventing and treating human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. The FDA granted maribavir fast track designation in 2006, highlighting its significance within the company’s development pipeline.
A Phase II clinical trial revealed that maribavir exhibited substantial antiviral efficacy by lowering CMV reactivation rates and reducing reliance on pre-emptive anti-CMV medications compared to placebo. Nevertheless, a Phase III trial announced in 2009 did not achieve its primary endpoint, demonstrating no meaningful difference between maribavir and placebo in preventing CMV disease, which adversely affected ViroPharma’s commercial outlook for this candidate.
Failed products
Pleconaril, the initial compound ViroPharma obtained from Sanofi in 1995, was designed to combat picornavirus infections. Although originally intended for enteroviral meningitis treatment, this application was abandoned after clinical studies failed to demonstrate effectiveness.
In 2001, ViroPharma filed a New Drug Application for pleconaril aimed at treating the common cold. Nevertheless, the FDA Antiviral Advisory Committee deemed the safety data inadequate in 2002, leading to a letter indicating the drug was not approvable.
In 2004, ViroPharma granted Schering-Plough a license for pleconaril, which developed an intranasal version targeting both the common cold and asthma flare-ups. Schering-Plough commenced Phase II clinical trials in 2006.