#InterviewBiospain2021 | The company born drinking a beer that ended up as the first to develop biosimilars in Spain

"3P Biopharmaceuticals was born from a conversation over a beer". The story of this company, a model of success in biotechnology industry in Spain and a Silver Sponsor of Biospain 2021, has many twists and turns. Today we talk to Dámaso Molero, CEO of 3P Biopharmaceuticals, with 300 employees, which around 2010, had to choose between either closing the factory as a failed concept or changing its direction. The company chose the second option and ended up developing, together with its clients, the only vaccine against leishmania in dogs in the world and being the first to produce a biosimilar in Spain in record time.

When 3P Biopharmaceuticals was founded in 2006, its sole objective was to manufacture recombinant proteins, and outsource all other activities. What 3P had built was too disperse to meet market expectations and, at the time, the company had limited experience and a lack of track record in this area. 

But it was not the time to give up. During the financial crisis of 2008 , the company's destiny was turned around. Gradually, through trade fairs such as Biospain, meetings with potential customers, hard work and trust, 3P obtained projects, expanded, and improved their infrastructure, until they became what they are today: a global CDMO specialising in processes development and manufacture of biological drugs such as recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, biosimilars and cell therapy products. 

What were the secrets to becoming a leading company in the sector? "Understanding that the initial business model was not valid was key. We had to rethink and redesign 3P's business model to become what we are today: a pure play CDMO focused on providing a full service exclusively to our customers. ¨ 

One piece of advice Molero would give to an entrepreneur is to "analyse the needs of the sector and ensure reliable financing". He says that at 3P they were very aware that they needed constant funding over the years to adapt technology and capacity to meet the needs of their customers.  "What has always helped us a lot, and me personally, is that I have been very clear about how the market was evolving and the real needs that biotechnology industry has. I have seen companies fail because they were not properly sized, or they were poorly funded " he explains. 

"We have made sure that we organised our priorities well. Even in the worst moments of 2008 financial crisis, we have always had a high level of investment" he explains. Another key to success was to equip themselves with the most cutting-edge technology available on the market, and they were always "very clear" about this. "Clients are looking for the lowest possible technological risk on their route to market" he says.

"The event gives an important measure of what the sector is and what it can be for Spain in the future"

Today, as Molero speaks to us via video call, 3P, located in Noáin, a town near Pamplona, has 19 worldwide projects underway and, just one is for a Spanish client. Being global was another of the keys to growth. "A company like 3P cannot exist only for the Spanish market, as the industry itself requires you to act internationally".

The company's CEO explains that, to make themselves known, they have had to travel globally and have visited the most important events in the world. "Personal contact with customers is very important. Inviting them to visit the facilities and establishing a relationship of trust with them from the beginning, is an essential step when it comes to starting a relationship that can last up to 10 or 12 years," he adds. 

For Dámaso Molero, Biospain 2021, as well as being an opportunity to meet potential clients, allows him to meet key opinion leaders in the sector. "Biospain is a good forum for sharing problems and seeking solutions between manufacturers, users and distributors". In addition, this international benchmark event helps the authorities to realise that this is a sector with enormous potential for the Spanish economy and that they should and must help. "The event gives an important measure of what the sector is and what it can be for Spain in the future", he concludes.  

By Agathe Cortes