Peptide Hormone Bet Held for Seven Decades

“Frederik and Eva Paulsen were pioneers in developing and selling drugs based on peptide hormones, which are small proteins secreted into the bloodstream from the pituitary gland. Eva Paulsen had experience in the field through previous research assignments. She had experimented with peptide hormones during her time at Pharmacia and Organon in Stockholm. Frederik and Eva Paulsen were convinced that the natural origin of peptide hormones could provide a more suitable basis for drug development than the steroids other companies were working with in the 1950s. They acquired a house in Malmö where they established a research department. In 1961, the research team made a major breakthrough when they learned to produce the peptide hormones vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and oxytocin synthetically and on an industrial scale. Ferring was one of the first companies in the world to succeed in this. The pharmaceutical company intended to treat diabetes insipidus (DI), not diabetes mellitus, which is commonly referred to as sugar sickness. DI increases urine production, which can lead to dehydration and pose a life-threatening risk if not treated. The synthetically manufactured drugs had fewer side effects, and the company was no longer dependent on the supply of pig pituitaries. After nearly seven decades, it has proven that the investment was right. To this day, peptide hormones are used in several of Ferring’s drugs.”

“The pharmaceutical company Ferring conducts research and develops medications in five areas. The most important are gastroenterology, urology, and gynecology/obstetrics. The company is a world leader in fertility treatment. Among its proprietary drugs are Minirin, used in the treatment of bedwetting, and Degarelix, which counteracts prostate cancer. These two drugs have achieved significant sales success worldwide. Within Ferring, they have been skilled at developing their own portfolio of drugs over time and evolving the products according to market demand. Minirin, for example, was initially developed for the treatment of diabetes insipidus, but the drug was adapted according to demand and market to counteract bedwetting.”