Category: News

This year, Galen Medical Nutrition launched a new educational support program called Galen’s Learning Lab to help individuals in the metabolic community with inherited metabolic disorders such as Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Tyrosinemia (TYR).

Galen’s Learning Lab educational support program extended to a wider age range, from 5 years old to adults able to apply through a Storytelling Challenge. There were four different categories depending on age range, which allowed the story-telling challenge to be tailored to suit the ability of each age group. This allowed the entrants to explore their creative imagination and write a story or draw a picture as their submission.

The Galen’s Learning Lab 2024 winners have been announced as,

Category 1- Adventures Winner

5-8 years old – Jenny O’Hagan

Category 2- Tales Winner

9-12 years old – Rose O’Hagan

Category 3- Chronicles Winner

13-16 years old – Lewis Murdoch

Category 4- Journeys Winner

16 years and older- Isla Trotter

Congratulations to the 2024 Galen’s Learning Lab winners!

Galen, the privately-owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, has today announced the release of their latest innovative product, PKU Easy Microtabs Plus from their Medical Nutrition range, into the European market.

Designed specifically for individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU), Galen’s newest product, PKU Easy Microtabs Plus, provides a phenylalanine-free protein substitute, enriched with vitamins, minerals, and the essential and non-essential amino acids, which replaces the requirement for a separate vitamin and minerals supplement.

Speaking on the company’s announcement, President and Managing Director of Galen, Dr Dennise Broderick said: “PKU Easy Microtabs Plus has been developed by our team of dedicated pharmaceutical and nutritional professionals with the goal of making a real contribution to making daily lives of those affected with PKU a little easier. The release of this new product is testament to Galen’s commitment of providing extraordinary service to the patients and healthcare professionals we work with every day.

“This launch is the first in a pipeline of products being developed for Northern Europe, which will build on solid-dose protein substitute expertise across a range of metabolic disorders including Homocystinuria (HCU), Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) and Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) that will give patients greater choice and support.”

Although PKU Easy Microtabs Plus is initially launching in the Nordics and Germany, Galen is planning a phased rollout of the product to the UK, USA and other regions within the next 18 months.

Simon Lawrence, Commercial Director of Galen’s Nordic Region commented: “We have listened to the feedback from our dietitians around combining vitamins and minerals to our existing PKU EASY Microtabs. We have also carefully formulated the product, with a coating to improve palatability (minimal taste and smell) for the patient and an inner matrix which results in the slow-release of amino acids, helping individuals with PKU to manage their condition effectively while also providing all the essential nutrients to ensure a healthy, balanced lifestyle for our patients.

“We are excited to provide a more manageable product to the PKU Community through this improved formulation which will make a difference to patients.”

Galen, the privately-owned pharmaceutical sales, and marketing company, has today announced the launch of their TYR EASY Tablets, the first solid-dose protein substitute option for tyrosinaemia, into the UK market.

Galen’s TYR EASY Tablets are designed to support dietary management for patients over the age of 8 with tyrosinaemia (TYR), giving them more choice of protein substitutes which best fit with their day-to-day needs.

Galen entered into the medical nutrition market in early 2020 and offer products for a range of metabolic disorders including Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Dr Sarah Dolan, Galen Medical Nutrition’s Commercial Manager and representative in the UK and Ireland, said: “Galen’s primary focus is always to support patients with their medical nutrition requirements. We are pleased to launch TYR EASY Tablets to the UK market.  We know that finding the right products and supplements can be difficult for people with metabolic disorders and we work hard to develop new products that will give patients greater choice and support.”

TYR EASY Tablets are the first of seven new metabolic products currently in development for a mix of the UK market and Nordics markets and are expected to be available over the next two years.

“We are delighted to be able to extend our reach and support to more metabolic disease areas with Galen’s high quality medical nutrition products in the next 24 months.”

The expansion of Galen’s medical nutrition portfolio will build on solid-dose protein substitute expertise and enhance patient choice across a range of metabolic disorders including Homocystinuria (HCU), Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) and Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD).

Galen Medical Nutrition is committed to bringing innovation, quality, and customer focus to people with metabolic disorders.

Galen is proud to announce the winners of the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award for 2022 as Stuart Noble from Merseyside, England and Kaisa Minnie Haugen from Stjørdal in Norway.

The scholarship was on offer to people with metabolic disorders from across Europe, with both Stuart and Kaisa receiving a bursary of up to £2,000/€2,500 towards their education or career development as well as a full technology package worth £2,000/€2,500 which includes a state-of-the-art laptop, monitor, tablet, Apple watch and AirPods.

The award, which is now in its second year, was created by Galen Medical Nutrition to support people with metabolic disorders, such as Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Tyrosinemia (TYR), achieve their career goals through further education, training and development courses or apprenticeships. The Galen Medical Nutrition Awards committee evaluated all entries and selected Stuart and Kaisa on their written evidence of their aspirations and commitment to study.

Dr Dennise Broderick, Galen’s Managing Director & President stated: “On behalf of Galen, we extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Stuart and Kaisa as our winners of the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship 2022. We are continually inspired by the metabolic disease community and are honoured to play a role in helping Stuart and Kaisa to pursue their passions and achieve their goals.

“Thank you to everyone who entered the scholarship, and we wish them the best of luck with their future endeavours.”

Stuart, who lives in Merseyside, England, returned to education in his early 30s, leaving his career in visual merchandising to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.  Having initially completed a level 3 access to higher education course, Stuart has recently graduated with a first-class honours’ degree in Bachelors of Fine Art.  He is now starting a Postgraduate Diploma of Education teaching in post 14 education and training at Edge Hill University in Merseyside.

Stuart Noble commented: “I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award. The scholarship will be a massive support over the next academic year while I train as a FE teacher in Art & Design. The amazing technology package will be a lifeline with keeping myself organised during my teacher training, and I also know it will be very useful in supporting me with managing my low protein diet.”

Kaisa Minnie Haugen, from Stjørdal in Norway, is currently studying Social Work at university in Levanger, having already achieved a bachelor’s degree in Social Anthropology from the Norwegian Institute for Science and Technology in 2021.

Outside of her studies, and in addition to being an athlete, pole sport instructor and working part time in a home for disabled adults, Kaisa is very involved in patient advocacy work. In 2021, Kaisa was elected as the Chair of the advisory board for the Centre for Rare Diseases and in 2022, re-elected as Youth Contact and Vice Chairman of the Norwegian PKU Association.

Kaisa said: “I greatly value my chosen academic path, both as a way to find meaningful work after graduating and also as a motivation to stay on treatment and keep my levels under control, so that I have the opportunity to succeed in my chosen field. The Galen Medical Nutrition scholarship award will help me achieve this by covering my registration fees and academic literature for the coming school year.”

Galen Medical Nutrition is committed to bringing innovation, quality, and customer focus to people with metabolic disorders.

Supporting patients with metabolic disorders accessing further education

Galen, the privately-owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, has announced that the application process for their Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award is now open.

The award, which is now in its second year, is designed to support people with metabolic disorders, such as Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Tyrosinaemia (TYR), in accessing further education, training and development courses or apprenticeships.

There are two scholarships on offer for people with metabolic disorders from across Europe, and each prize-winner will win a bursary of up to £2,000/€2,500 towards their education or training course support.  The winners will also receive a full technology package worth £2,000 which includes a state-of-the-art laptop, monitor, tablet, Apple watch and AirPods.

The entry process, which is open until 26^th August, includes the completion of an application form and a one-thousand-word personal statement, describing how the scholarship will enable applicants to achieve their personal and career goals.

The Galen Medical Nutrition Awards committee, including representatives from the metabolic disease community, will evaluate the entries and select two winners based on their submission, aspirations, and commitment to study.

Dr Dennise Broderick, Managing Director & President, Galen, said: “People who are born with metabolic disorders, such as PKU, and who receive the correct treatment can absolutely have the same educational and career goals as anyone else. Galen is committed to bringing innovation, quality and customer focus to people diagnosed with this condition and we are delighted to offer this scholarship programme again this year, by supporting and encouraging the aspirations of individuals who deserve the opportunity to fulfil their ambition. 

Fergal Egan, Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award Winner 2021 said: “If you are lucky enough to be chosen as I was, you will see clearly the profound impact it can have on achieving your goals.”

Ella Roberts, who also won the scholarship award last year, has recently completed a music degree at Cardiff University.  She said: “I was a lucky recipient of Galen’s award last year.  Galen has been very supportive to me, and the scholarship has helped me during my final year of studies to alleviate financial pressure.  I would really encourage anyone who would like to study, to not let your metabolic condition hold you back and to apply for this award.”

Dr Broderick continued: “I would encourage people to apply for the scholarships and look forward to following how the winners progress over the course of their studies and beyond.”

Submissions must be made using the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award Entry Form –http://www.galenmedicalnutrition.com/scholarship-2022 and submitted via email to medicalnutritionaward@galen-pharma.com by 5pm on Friday 23^rd September 2022.

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Notes to editors

About Galen Medical Nutrition

As a subsidiary of Galen Limited, Galen Medical Nutrition offer a variety of innovative medical foods, for use in the dietary management of metabolic disorders. Formulas are available for disorders such as Phenylketonuria (PKU), Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), and Tyrosinemia (TYR) as well as Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD).

Galen Medical Nutrition is committed to bringing innovation, quality, and customer focus to people with metabolic disorders.

For further information please visit:  www.galenmedicalnutrition.com

About Galen

Galen is a privately owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, headquartered in Craigavon (Northern Ireland) and product presence in 25 locations covering each continent across the globe.

With over 50 years’ experience, we have 75+ products across a diverse range of therapy areas.

Galen has recently announced ambitious expansion plans across new territories and therapeutic areas through the acquisition of new company and product portfolios as well as product partnerships.

Galen aims to work in partnership with healthcare professionals and patients to create real, long-term value.

For further information please visit: www.galen-pharma.com

About Almac Group

Galen is the founding member of the Almac Group. The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across, and beyond, the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

The Group is wholly owned by the McClay Foundation, whose overarching aim is to make a meaningful improvement and advancement in human health.

The international company is a privately owned organisation that has grown organically over the past five decades and now employs over 6,500 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities including Europe, the US and Asia.

For further information please visit www.almacgroup.com.

Ella Roberts (Wilshire, England) and Fergal Egan (Limerick, Ireland) named winners of the inaugural program

Craigavon, U.K. – 20 September 2021 – Galen, the privately-owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, is proud to announce the winners of the inaugural Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award as Ella Roberts from Wiltshire, England and Fergal Egan from Limerick, Ireland.

Both Ella and Fergal will each receive a bursary of up to £2,000/€2,500 towards their education. They will also receive a full technology package worth £2,000 including a state-of-the-art laptop, monitor, tablet, Apple watch and AirPods and a £200 voucher for study aids.

The award was created by Galen Medical Nutrition to support people with metabolic disorders, such as Phenylketonuria (PKU), to achieve their goals in further education, training and development courses or apprenticeship. The Galen Medical Nutrition Awards committee, including representatives from the metabolic disease community, evaluated all entries and selected Ella and Fergal on their written evidence of their aspirations and commitment to study.

Dr Dennise Broderick, Galen’s Managing Director & President stated, ‘On behalf of Galen, we extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Ella and Fergal for being chosen as our inaugural winners of the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship. We are inspired by how they both have overcome challenges to pursue their passions, and are honoured to play a role in helping Ella and Fergal achieve their goals’.

Ella’s award will go towards her pursuit of a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Embarking on this educational path meant attending her ‘dream university,’ but it also marked her first time independently managing  her PKU. Despite the hurdles, Ella has persevered and is now entering her final and most rigorous year of study, and the Galen Scholarship award will help alleviate financial barriers so she can focus on her goals.

Ella commented, ‘I try to live my life with a quiet determination, never allowing my condition to hold me back and the Galen award greatly supports my journey to becoming a professional musician. I’m grateful that Galen recognises the challenges people studying with a metabolic disorder can face, and I’m so grateful to be nearing achievement of my greatest personal goal, which is to gain a degree despite having to manage the challenges of Phenylketonuria.”

Fergal’s award will go towards his pursuit of a Bachelor of Science/Education in Physical Education and Irish Teaching. Due to his own experiences with PKU, he has a keen interest in nutrition and its impact on sport, and aims to study the impact of metabolic conditions on sports participation and performance. Like Ella, attending University marks his first time independently managing his condition and the Galen Scholarship award and technology bundle will support him as he embarks on his next, exciting chapter.

Fergal commented, ‘Living with Phenylketonuria has undoubtedly come with challenges, however equally it has provided me with opportunities to meet new people, encouraged me to learn about genetics and nutrition and taught me to be disciplined and organised in my everyday life. This award enables me to balance my diagnosis with the pursuit of my goals, be it in sport, education or life in general.’

Galen Medical Nutrition will present the awards to Ella and Fergal at an official awards ceremony later this year.

#END#

Notes to editors

About Galen

Established in 1968, Galen is a privately owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, headquartered in Craigavon (Northern Ireland), with products in therapy areas including medical nutrition, gastroenterology, pain management and dermatology.

As a subsidiary of Galen Limited, Galen US also has a growing presence in select conditions such as those requiring topical anaesthesia. The company plans to continue expanding its portfolio with selected speciality products on an international basis. By combining innovation in product development with competitive pricing, Galen aims to work in partnership with healthcare professionals and patients to create real, long-term value.

For further information please visit: www.galen-pharma.com

About Almac Group

Galen is a member of the Almac Group. The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across, and beyond, the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

Almac’s innovative services range from R&D, biomarker discovery development and commercialisation, API manufacture, analytical services, formulation development, clinical trial supply, IRT (IVRS/IWRS) through to commercial-scale manufacture, product development and marketing.

The international company is a privately owned organisation that has grown organically over the past five decades and now employs over 6,000 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities globally.

For further information please visit www.almacgroup.com.

Craigavon, U.K. – 27 Jul 2021 – Galen, the privately-owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, is pleased to announce the inaugural Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award designed to support people with metabolic disorders, such as Phenylketonuria (PKU), accessing further education, training and development courses or apprenticeships.

Entrants are required to complete an application form and submit a personal statement (1000 words or less) describing their educational plans and how this scholarship will enable them to achieve their personal and career goals. Two scholarships will be awarded to people with metabolic disorders and the award is open to applicants right across Europe.

The prize-winners will each win a bursary of up to £2,000/€2,500 towards their education/training course fees, in addition to a full technology package worth £2,000 including a state-of-the-art laptop, monitor, tablet, Apple watch and AirPods and a £200 voucher for study aids. Due to restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19, the 2021 awards will be presented to the recipient at ceremonies in September.

The Galen Medical Nutrition Awards committee, which will include representatives from the metabolic disease community, will evaluate entries and select two winners based on their written entry, aspirations and commitment to study.

Dr Dennise Broderick, Managing Director & President, Galen, said: “We recognise that people who are born with metabolic disorders, such as PKU, and receive the correct treatment can absolutely have the same educational and career goals as anyone else. Galen is committed to bringing innovation, quality and customer focus to people diagnosed with this condition and we are delighted to launch this scholarship programme to offer support and encourage the aspirations of individuals who deserve the opportunity to fulfil their ambition.

She continued: “We look forward to awarding this year’s winners and following how they progress over the course of their studies and beyond.”

Submissions must be made using the Galen Medical Nutrition Scholarship Award Entry Form – www.galen-pharma.com/galen-medical-nutrition-scholarship and submitted via email to medicalnutritionaward@galen-pharma.com by 1700hrs (BST) on Friday 03 September 2021.

#END#

Notes to editors

About Galen

Established in 1968, Galen is a privately owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, headquartered in Craigavon (Northern Ireland), with products in therapy areas including gastroenterology, pain management and dermatology.

As a subsidiary of Galen Limited, Galen US also has a growing presence in select conditions such as those requiring topical anaesthesia. The company plans to continue expanding its portfolio with selected speciality products on an international basis. By combining innovation in product development with competitive pricing, Galen aims to work in partnership with healthcare professionals and patients to create real, long-term value.

For further information please visit: www.galen-pharma.com

About Almac Group

Galen is a member of the Almac Group. The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across, and beyond, the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

Almac’s innovative services range from R&D, biomarker discovery development and commercialisation, API manufacture, analytical services, formulation development, clinical trial supply, IRT (IVRS/IWRS) through to commercial-scale manufacture, product development and marketing.

The international company is a privately owned organisation that has grown organically over the past five decades and now employs over 6,000 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities globally.

For further information please visit www.almacgroup.com.

Move adds substantial new therapeutic areas and territories to Galen’s reach

Craigavon, N.I., 8 Jan 2020 – Galen, the privately owned global pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, today announced the completion of a multi-million pound acquisition and takeover of boutique healthcare company, POA Pharma. The move enables Galen to significantly expand its global reach and product portfolio in exciting new therapy areas, such as rare metabolic disease.

Headquartered in Sweden, with additional facilities located across the Nordic region and North America, POA Pharma currently represents 16 producers from 10 countries and retains a strong portfolio of products and an extensive network worldwide. Galen first signed a distribution agreement with POA Pharma in April 2016, allowing the company to market and sell POA Pharma’s metabolic product portfolio in the UK and Ireland. The acquisition is an extremely significant new phase of Galen’s growth, as it extends its global footprint into the Nordic territory and Northern Europe.

As part of the takeover, Simon Lawrence, who has held various senior management positions with Galen over 33 years, has been appointed Commercial Director – Nordics and will be based at the POA facility in Copenhagen. He will oversee operations in the region and grow the team to reflect demand in line with the global Galen strategy.

Simon Lawrence commented: “Galen’s long-heritage and expertise in delivering valued medicines to the people that need them most, coupled with POA Pharma’s important portfolio, means we now have the opportunity to improve the lives of more people affected by a variety of diseases on a truly global scale. Particularly for the underserved, rare, phenylketonuria (PKU) population, who have limited treatment options available to them, today’s completion is a welcome step towards better access to life-saving nutritional therapies across Galen’s extensive distribution network and beyond.”

Dr Dennise Broderick, President & Managing Director Galen added: “This acquisition is highly complementary to our established business and marks a key milestone in our strategic global growth plans. The founders of POA have created a highly successful business and we look forward to incorporating and growing the reputable company further as part of the Galen organisation. This acquisition will enable Galen to offer a wider range of products to our customers, healthcare professionals and patients around the world.”

Notes to editors

About POA

POA Pharma is a market oriented Boutique Healthcare Company present in 9 competence areas with offices in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and US. The home market is the Nordic countries were POA represents 16 pharmaceutical producers from 10 countries. Our export is based on POA proprietary products, classified as food for specific medical purposes, products that are sold in more than 40 countries.  www.poapharma.com

About Galen

Established in 1968, Galen is a privately owned pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, headquartered in Craigavon (Northern Ireland), with products in therapy areas including gastroenterology, urology, female health, pain management and mental health.

As a subsidiary of Galen Limited, Galen US also has a growing presence in select conditions requiring topical anaesthesia and Central Nervous System disorders. The company plans to continue expanding its portfolio with selected specialty products on an international basis. By combining innovation in product development with competitive pricing, Galen aims to work in partnership with healthcare professionals and patients to create real, long-term value. Visit: www.galen-pharma.com

About Almac Group

Galen is a member of the Almac Group. The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across, and beyond, the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

Almac’s innovative services range from R&D, biomarker discovery development and commercialisation, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply, IRT (IVRS/IWRS) through to commercial-scale manufacture, product development and marketing.

The international company is a privately owned organisation that has grown organically over the past five decades and now employs over 5,600 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities including Europe, the US and Asia.

Almac has a global reputation for excellence built over 50 years of client service, delivering expertise right across the drug development lifecycle and offering a tailored solution to each of our clients.

For further information please visit www.almacgroup.com.