The comical commercialisation history of VivaGel BV

Starpharma once spruiked to shareholders that VivaGel BV was addressing a US$1.75 billion market opportunity, whereas the latest Quarterly Report reveals pathetic and minuscule worldwide VivaGel sales figures including the 2nd worst quarter revenue on record since sales began.

The following is the comical history of Starpharma’s commercialisation of VivaGel BV:

Starpharma signs a partnership/licence with Aspen for Australia and NZ in March 2016 but then takes another 18 months to gain TGA marketing approval (Oct 2017). Then in October 2017 Starpharma teases shareholders by saying ‘launch plans for VivaGel BV are well advanced’ , but then takes 18 months to actually launch the product (April 2019).

Starpharma receives European Union marketing approval for VivaGel BV in September 2015, but then takes almost 3 (three) long years to sign a licence and distribution partner (ultimately Mundipharma in June 2018).
VivaGel is finally launched in Europe one year later in June 2019, missing out on almost 4 years worth of potential sales and patent life since approval.
In Aug 2023 the Mundipharma licence and partnership is terminated.

In December 2018 Starpharma signs a VivaGel partnership for the United States with a private company, minnow ITF Pharma, but then literally7days later, the FDA rejects Starpharma’s NDA for VivaGel.
Meanwhile, 5 years later Starpharma remain at loggerheads and in dispute with the FDA, despite Starpharma telling shareholders in 2019 that a new trial could be completed in less than 4 months at a cost less than US$4m.

What a masterclass in commercialisation.

P.S. Dates and figures compiled with best endeavours.