BERLIN: Swiss biopharmaceutical company OM Pharma is seeking to raise awareness of infection prevention as a key tool in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), focusing on bacterial-derived products designed to help the immune system better fight infections, the company said.
Speaking to Rohan Dua of The Global Envoy on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin, Dr Christian Terreaux, OM Pharma’s Public affairs director said the company’s participation in the World Health Summit was focused on highlighting the importance of prevention rather than pursuing new commercial agreements.
“OM Pharma is a small pharmaceutical company, a biotech company producing so-called bacterial lysate. We are focusing on several public health priorities, including infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance, climate change and respiratory health,” Terreaux said.
“They are bacterial-derived products used to train the immune system to better fight against infections.”
Bacterial lysates are preparations derived from bacteria that stimulate immune responses.
OM Pharma’s portfolio includes Broncho-Vaxom, used for the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections, and Uro-Vaxom, used for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections.
“The purpose for me and for OM Pharma at this event is not to make agreements with new partners. It is more to create awareness about more prevention,” he said.
“More prevention of infections, because this is a key step to fight AMR,” he added.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other pathogens develop the ability to withstand medicines designed to treat infections. It can make infections harder to treat, increase healthcare costs and put additional pressure on health systems. Preventing infections can help reduce the need for antimicrobial medicines and limit opportunities for resistance to develop and spread.
SWITZERLAND’S PHARMACEUTICAL ADVANTAGE
Switzerland’s position as a pharmaceutical hub rests on a combination of established drugmakers, research institutions and universities, Terreaux said.
“Of course, Switzerland is a kind of hub of the pharmaceutical industry, with two big pharma in Switzerland,” he said, referring to the country’s major pharmaceutical companies.
“But it is also a strong ecosystem of research, with quite strong universities,” he added.
Asked what attracts pharmaceutical companies to Switzerland, Terreaux said the country’s success could not be attributed to funding, talent or investment conditions alone.
“I think it’s a mix of everything,” he said.
“You need the synergies between all sectors. This is the reason for success,” Terreaux added.
Terreaux said a combination of research capabilities, financing and collaboration across sectors was essential to sustaining Switzerland’s pharmaceutical ecosystem
