Solvay Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement with Novozymes for the joint development of a new biotechnologically engineered microbial enzyme tailored to treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. We have the intention of launching a variety of new generation digestive enzymes from a microbiological source.

The lipase, protease and amylase under development should show an efficacy comparable to that of pancreatic enzymes. Development is in early stages, with the first toxicology studies under preparation, to be followed by clinical phase I and II studies. The first clinical data are expected this year.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals has expertise in pancreatic enzymes with Creon®, which is the most prescribed pancreatic enzyme preparation in the world. Creon® helps patients to digest food better and helps patients suffering from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, e.g. cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic pancreatitis or after pancreatic surgery.

Pancreatic enzymes

Pancreatic enzymes are digestive enzymes. They include three classes of enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates. Pancreatic enzymes improve the absorption of food.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI)

Pancreatic exocrine insuffiency is a condition, not a disease. The condition is commonly associated with diseases such as pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, in which patients have a shortage of digestive enzymes necessary to break down food and digest the fats, proteins and carbohydrates contained in food. This leads to nutrient malabsorption and is associated with weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, loss of appetite/feeling of fullness, and fatty/foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea).