Cancer drug’s new producer has big plans

  • Eric Fetters / Herald Writer
  • Sunday, June 2, 2002 9:00pm
  • Business

By Eric Fetters

Herald Writer

BOTHELL – The company poised to take over Immunex’s Leukine business is far different than the Seattle startup that introduced the cancer drug a decade ago.

Germany-based Schering AG is a 151-year-old pharmaceutical powerhouse that leads in the world’s birth control pill market, employs 24,000 people internationally and has plans to double its U.S. sales in the next four years.

“We actually call ourselves a specialty company because we have products that are targeted in very distinct, though not really small, markets,” said Jane Kramer, vice president of public affairs at Schering.

The company announced a month ago it would buy the Leukine franchise from Seattle-based Immunex for $380 million.

Leukine competes directly with Neupogen, which is made by Amgen Corp. – the company acquiring Immunex in a $16 billion deal. So Immunex sold the Leukine division to satisfy possible antitrust issues.

As soon as the acquisition of Immunex gains final approvals from regulators this summer, Schering will officially take over the Leukine business and the Snohomish County facility associated with the drug’s production. Kramer said a transition team already is working with Immunex.

“We are planning to maintain the business, and we are very much interested in obtaining the human assets associated with Leukine,” Kramer said, adding that Schering hopes to hire up to 200 of Immunex’s employees, many of whom work in the facility to be taken over in Bothell’s Canyon Park.

Schering also intends to manufacture the drug there. While premanufacturing work on Leukine is done here, the main production work takes place in Kansas.

Leukine is the brand name of sargramostim, an artificial form of a growth protein normally produced in the body. This growth factor helps to increase the number and function of white blood cells, which fight infections.

Approved for the medical market in March 1991, Leukine was Immunex’s first drug to gain FDA approval, long before the company’s better-known and blockbuster-selling Enbrel.

In 2001, Leukine sales hit a record $108 million, according to Immunex. But it still lags far behind the similar Neupogen, which racked up more than $1 billion in sales for Amgen last year.

Still, Schering was just one of several companies that competed to grab the Leukine business. The company’s leaders have said it will fit in well with Schering’s other cancer drugs.

“We look forward to continuing investment in the marketing, research and manufacturing activities associated with Leukine,” said Hubertus Erien, chairman of Schering, during last month’s announcement.

“Importantly,” he added, “we see opportunities to build the brand as the markets in its current indications grow, and as we pursue other possible new indications for Leukine, such as Crohn’s Disease.”

Schering wants to research the possible use of Leukine to treat melanomas as well, Kramer said.

While the company is just establishing a presence in the Puget Sound area, Schering has been expanding into the U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries over the past 20 years.

Schering is the biggest maker of birth control bills and female hormone replacement products. It also is a leader in contrast dyes used in patients undergoing X-rays or diagnostic imaging.

Additionally, Schering’s leading single drug is Betaseron, the only medicine approved to treat two forms for multiple sclerosis.

The publicly held company’s American operations, under the subsidiary name of Berlex, are based in New Jersey, with a major facility in Richmond, Calif. Kramer said the California office will manage the company’s Seattle and Bothell operations.

You can call Herald Writer Eric Fetters at 425-339-3453

or send e-mail to fetters@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.