Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) has confirmed that the company is holding discussions with a private equity firm regarding a possible sale of its Partner Products business area.

In the January-September period last year, the Partner Products unit reported sales of $70m, while the company’s total sales stood at $444m, Reuters reported.

Sobi CEO and president Geoffrey McDonough said: "We have noted specific information in the market regarding a possible sale of Sobi Partner Products.

"We confirm that we are in discussions which may or may not lead to an agreement."

The sale excludes drugs Kineret and Orfadin.

"We have noted specific information in the market regarding a possible sale of Sobi Partner Products."

Sobi said that the European Commission (EC) has approved a reduced dosing frequency for the drug Orfadin (nitisinone) from twice-daily to once-daily in people with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) with a body weight of more than 20kg.

Sobi research and development senior vice-president, chief medical officer and head Dr Milan Zdravkovic said: "Sobi has a long-term commitment to improve the lives of people affected by hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, and the above modified dosing regimen is a further step in this journey."

EC’s approval is based on the results of a clinical study carried out in 18 people with HT-1, comparing a four week once-daily and four week twice-daily dosing regimen.

As part of the study, comparable blood-levels of nitisinone, as well as safety and efficacy for both regimens were highlighted.