Fresenius Kabi’s Q1 call spanned its recent launch of a generic version of Takeda’s Velcade subcutaneous injectable to the company’s continued ambitions in biosimilars, with the German firm’s acquisition of a controlling stake in mAbxience scheduled to close by the middle of the year.

Multiple firms have launched bortezomib products for subcutaneous administration in the US, adding to competition on Takeda’s Velcade brand.

Vir’s George Scangos, Westlake Village BioPartners’ Sean Harper, Kronos Bio’s Norbert Bischofberger, Scorpion’s Axel Hoos and Eikon’s Roy Baynes discuss the experiences they bring and the challenges they have faced in the transition from large drug makers to small biotechs. 

German pharma giant Fresenius Kabi has introduced a copay scheme for a number of its generic oncology medicines in the US, which could completely eliminate monthly costs for certain patients.