Biozone Pharmaceuticals

Biozone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was a specialty pharmaceutical company that had a complex history involving a name change, multiple acquisitions, and a final merger. Originally incorporated in Nevada on December 4, 2006, as International Surf Resorts, Inc., the company shifted its focus and changed its name to BioZone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on March 1, 2011. This pivot was led by Chairman Roberto Prego-Novo, a veteran with over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, who aimed to build a business centered on acquiring and developing bio-pharmaceutical ventures.

A pivotal moment in its history occurred in mid-2011 when Biozone Pharmaceuticals acquired BioZone Laboratories, Inc. and its related companies. BioZone Laboratories, founded in 1987 by Brian Keller and Daniel Fisher, was a developer and manufacturer of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements. Keller and Fisher's initial focus was on creating intellectual property for drug delivery systems, which led to the development of the patented QuSome® technology. This platform was designed to improve the stability and solubility of drugs, a key feature in many of their products. The acquisition brought this technology and a portfolio of brands, including Glyderm skin care and the P&S line for scalp conditions, under the Biozone Pharmaceuticals umbrella.

The company's business model focused on both contract manufacturing for third-party clients and marketing its own proprietary brands. It served clients in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and supplement markets. A significant development was the licensing agreement with OPKO Health in February 2012, which granted OPKO exclusive rights to the QuSomes® technology for ophthalmology applications and non-exclusive rights for other therapeutic areas. This deal also included distribution rights for an enhanced formulation of propofol.

Ultimately, Biozone Pharmaceuticals' journey concluded on January 2, 2014, when it was acquired by and merged with Cocrystal Discovery, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on antiviral therapeutics. Following the merger, the combined entity planned to change its name to better reflect its new focus on developing treatments for viruses like Influenza, Dengue, and Norovirus, with the former Biozone shareholders owning approximately 40% of the new company. The entity now operates as Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP).

Keywords: drug delivery technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, OTC pharmaceuticals, contract manufacturing organization, QuSome technology, BioZone Laboratories, Cocrystal Pharma merger, Roberto Prego-Novo, Brian Keller, cosmetic manufacturing, dermatological products, skin care products, supplement manufacturing, pharmaceutical acquisitions, specialty pharma, antiviral therapeutics, drug development, Glyderm, Baker Cummins, P&S products