Raptor Pharmaceuticals

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. was a biopharmaceutical firm that concentrated on developing and marketing treatments for rare and debilitating diseases. The company was founded in 2005 by Christopher M. Starr, Ph.D., and Todd Zankel, Ph.D. Both founders brought extensive experience from their time at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where Dr. Starr served as Chief Scientific Officer and Dr. Zankel as Senior Director of Research, experiences that directly shaped Raptor's focus on orphan diseases.

A significant milestone in the company's history was the merger with TorreyPines Therapeutics in 2009, which created a NASDAQ-listed entity with a robust pipeline of clinical development candidates. This strategic move was aimed at improving drug delivery for existing therapeutics for underserved patient populations. The company's business model was centered on identifying, developing, and commercializing transformative therapeutics for rare conditions where it could have the greatest impact. Revenue was generated through the sale of its approved products. The company's clients were patients suffering from these rare diseases, and it operated in the global orphan drug market, with a presence in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

Raptor's portfolio included PROCYSBI® and QUINSAIR™. PROCYSBI® (cysteamine bitartrate) is a delayed-release oral medication for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis, a rare metabolic disorder, for adults and children two years of age and older. QUINSAIR™ is an inhaled formulation of levofloxacin approved in the European Union and Canada for managing chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in adult patients with cystic fibrosis. In September 2016, Raptor Pharmaceutical was acquired by Horizon Pharma plc (now Horizon Therapeutics) for approximately $800 million. This acquisition was a strategic step for Horizon to expand its rare disease business and international presence.

Keywords: rare diseases, orphan drugs, biopharmaceutical, nephropathic cystinosis, cystic fibrosis, drug development, PROCYSBI, QUINSAIR, Horizon Pharma, Christopher Starr