Almirall to invest in AB-Biotics

Almirall has announced plans to enter the share capital of AB-Biotics, a Spanish biotechnology company and Almirall partner.

The firm will invest in 465,115 AB-Biotics shares, with this funding going towards financing studies and research programmes in the area of genetic testing, as well as to the international expansion of associated products.

It will allow Almirall to enter the pharmacogenetics and personalised medicine market and will see the companies allying to promote and commercialise a genetic test called Neurofarmagen next year.

This genetic test uses DNA extracted from a saliva sample to evaluate patients' potential responsiveness to common treatments for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and epilepsy.

A statement from the company said: "Pharmacogenetics complements Almirall's innovative project portfolio, which is currently focused on respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and dermatology."

This comes after Almirall announced the appointment of pharmaceutical industry veteran Gerhard Mayr as the newest member of its board of directors earlier this week.