3P Biopharmaceuticals, the first protein production plant in Spain

29 June 2007

The new company, based in Noáin, has come about as the result of the development of the CIMA-Digna Project.

The company 3P Biopharmaceuticals, S.L. will be the first plant in Spain to produce therapeutic proteins for supply to laboratories and pharmaceutical organizations. Its activities involve the production of proteins in batches for use in clinical and pre-clinical testing of biotechnology drugs and cellular therapy treatments. This investment in the field of biotechnology brings means the entry of another company into the pharmaceutical and biomedical network that already exists in the region of Navarre and underlines Sodena’s firm commitment to innovation.

As well as its promotional role in setting up 3P, Sodena (a public company under the authority of the Department of Industry, Technology, Trade and Employment) has invested a total of 3 million euros since last April in another two companies: Ojer Pharma and Eina.

These business projects strengthen enterprise and innovation in key sectors such as biotechnology and health and also facilitate the development and internationalisation of others, such as the design and manufacture of automated cutting and welding machinery.

3P Biopharmaceutical

This company originated as a result of the successful development of the CIMA-Digna Project in response to a specific need for a supply of proteins.

Sodena, as the promotional partner (24%), together with the technology partners (Suan Farma, Idifarma and Dro Biosystems), with a share of 31.4%, started work on the project in April 2005. The financial partners (with 45%) include most of the firms and groups that form part of the CIMA Project, which has once again clearly demonstrated its commitment to this new and innovative business venture associated with the health sector. These investors include Caja Navarra, Caja Rural de Navarra and the Universidad de Navarra, amongst others.

The business plan envisages an investment of around 9 million euros over the first few years. The plant will be set up in Noáin, close to the airport, along with the new Idifarma plant. The planned workforce for the start-up phase will be around 19 highly-qualified people, a figure that will rise in the medium term to around 35.

Eight percent of 3P’s potential market is made up of biotechnology companies -mainly European and American - with biotechnological compounds at the development phase. These companies need to subcontract the process of optimizing, sizing and producing the quantities of active ingredients necessary for subsequent pharmaceutical formulation and use to an industrial partner: initially in pre-clinical toxicology studies, and later in clinical trials on patients.