Pharma News

Spinoff updates: Merck’s Organon and Novartis’ Sandoz

Home/Pharma News | Posted 26/11/2021

Merck spinoff Organon has announced third quarter revenue of US$1.6 billion in 2021. This shows slight decline in women’s health medications but growth in biosimilar sales. Following its 2021 third quarter review, Novartis is considering the spinoff of its biosimilar division, Sandoz, as a standalone company.

Swiss Social Democrat’s for nationalization of Sandoz

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/11/2021

In November 2021, the Social Democratic party in Switzerland urged the government to buy Novartis AG’s generics and biosimilars unit, Sandoz.

Biocon Biologics and Serum Institute Life Sciences partnership

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/11/2021

On 16 September 2021, a strategic partnership was announced between India-based biologicals specialist Biocon Biologics Limited (BBL), and Indian vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute Life Sciences (SILS), a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd.

Ustekinumab biosimilars: new international biopharma agreements

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/11/2021

September and October 2021 saw new international agreements between biopharmaceutical companies regarding ustekinumab biosimilars. These were formed between BioFactura and Rani Therapeutics in the US, and China’s Bio-Thera Solutions and Pharmapark in Russia.

Agreement to produce similar biotherapeutic product in Turkey

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/11/2021

On 22 October 2021, an important agreement was signed between Nobel Pharmaceuticals and the IBG-OzBio partnership for the manufacturing of a similar biotherapeutic product in Turkey. This hopes to be a springboard for further collaborations and medicinal product development in the country.

Collaborations to commercialize oncology biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 22/10/2021

New collaborations to commercialize oncology biosimilars have been announced between Sandoz and Bio-Thera Solutions, and between Innovent Biologics and Ascentage Pharma.

Licensing agreements signed for ustekinumab biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 17/09/2021

Bio-Thera Solutions have signed an exclusive commercialization and licensing agreement with Hikma Pharmaceuticals for the ustekinumab (Stelara) biosimilar BAT2206, similar to an agreement reached between Meiji Seika Pharma, Dong-A ST and Intas Pharmaceuticals.

Oncogen–BrightGene partnership

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/09/2021

In June 2021, Malaysian oncology generics company, Oncogen, and China’s BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology announced that they are partnering to develop, manufacture, market and distribute generic drug products for the US market.

Menagen–CKD Middle Eastern partnership

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/09/2021

Omani company, Menagen Pharmaceutical Industries and Korean company, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp (CKD), have formed a strategic partnership to provide biosimilars to countries in the Middle East.

Teva signs deal with Bioeq for ranibizumab biosimilar FYB201

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/07/2021

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and Swiss biotechnology company Bioeq AG announced on 28 June 2021 that they had entered into a strategic partnership for the exclusive commercialization of Bioeq’s candidate ranibizumab biosimilar (FYB201) in Europe, Canada, Israel and New Zealand.

Organon launches as new global women’s health company and appoints leaders in Latin America

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/07/2021

Organon celebrated its launch as a global women’s health company on 3 June 2021 with employees and women from around the world, as the Organon executive leadership team rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Prestige-Cytiva partnership and new Korean R & D facility

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/07/2021

Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma, which specializes in the development of antibody therapeutics, is to build a new research and development (R & D) facility in the Republic of Korea and has entered a strategic partnership with Cytiva.

Theramex to market Prolia biosimilar in Europe and Australia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/06/2021

UK-based pharmaceutical company Theramex UK Ltd, which focuses on women’s health, has announced an agreement with India’s Enzene Biosciences Limited for the registration and commercialisation of a Prolia (denosumab) biosimilar in Europe and Australia.

AbbVie antitrust investigation and Sandoz biosimilar delay

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/06/2021

In May 2021, following the release of a report, it was announced that AbbVie is likely to be subject to an antitrust investigation due to claims it has delayed market entry of biosimilars of Humira (adalimumab). Alvotech also raised a complaint against AbbVie after being sued over their Humira biosimilar application. In addition, the US Supreme Court denied Sandoz the ability to release its Enbrel (etanercept) biosimilar.

Merck partners with Indian drugmakers to increase access to COVID-19 drug

Home/Pharma News | Posted 21/05/2021

On 27 April 2021, Merck & Co Inc (also known as MSD Pharmaceuticals) announced that it had partnered with five Indian generic drug manufacturers to expand production and access to its experimental COVID-19 drug.

Huons Lab and PanGen Biotech to develop denosumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/04/2021

On 20 April 2021, Korean pharmaceutical company, Huons Lab, announced the development of a denosumab biosimilar to treat osteoporosis. The company is working with PanGen Biotech and using their cell line culturing and purification technology.

PlantForm and partners in Brazil to develop pembrolizumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/04/2021

Canada-based PlantForm Corporation (PlantForm) have signed an agreement with partners in Brazil to develop a biosimilar of the cancer treatment pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

Biocon partners with Libbs for the sale of generics in Brazil

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/04/2021

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon has formed an out-licensing agreement with Brazil-based company Libbs Farmaceutica for the sale of generic drugs in the country, marking Biocon’s entry into the Latin American market for generics.

New partnerships for Cipla and Samsung Bioepis

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/04/2021

In March 2021, Cipla announced that its subsidiary, Cipla Gulf is expanding its partnership with Alvotech for the marketing and distribution of four biosimilar medicines in Australia and New Zealand. Samsung Bioepis also announced that it has signed a marketing partnership with Yuhan to launch its biosimilar of Humira (adalimumab), Adalloce, in South Korea.

Pfizer sells Chinese copy biologicals plant to WuXi Biologics

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/04/2021

China-based WuXi Biologics announced on 17 March 2021 that it had made an agreement with Pfizer China to acquire its state-of-the-art biologicals manufacturing facilities as well as its labour force in Hangzhou, China.

Sandoz acquires GSK antibiotics and Perrigo generics sold to Altaris

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/03/2021

In February 2021, Sandoz signed an agreement to acquire GSK’s cephalosporin antibiotics business. In March 2021, Perrigo Company sold their generic drug business to private investment firm, Altaris Capital Partners LLC.

Biocon Biologics partners to improve global access to cancer treatments and insulin

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/03/2021

In February 2021, Biocon Biologics joined forces with international organizations to improve access to cancer and diabetes treatments. The India-based biological subsidiary of Biocon, entered into an agreement with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to expand access to cancer biosimilars in over 30 countries in Africa and Asia as a part of the Cancer Access Partnership (CAP) [1]. In addition, they have become the first biosimilar insulin company to partner with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to promote and support the latter’s initiatives [2].

Korean biosimilars makers pipelines and expansion

Home/Pharma News | Posted 26/02/2021

Korean biosimilars makers have started conducting global clinical trials and are expanding into other markets with their biosimilars.

Innovent makes deal for bevacizumab copy biological in Indonesia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/02/2021

China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 19 January 2021 that it had made an agreement with PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana) to out-license the development and commercialization rights for its bevacizumab copy biological, Byvasda, in Indonesia to Etana.

Partnerships formed and extended between Isu Abxis/Pharmasyntez and Alvotech/Fuji Pharma

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/02/2021

The South Korean company Isu Abxis will export technology for a rare blood disease treatment, a biosimilar of Soliris, to the Russian firm Pharmasyntez.

Celltrion: Takeda acquisitions and new plant development

Home/Pharma News | Posted 15/01/2021

Celltrion completed the acquisition of selected primary care assets from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in the Asia Pacific region in November 2020. In addition, the company announced it will be building a new biopharmaceutical plant and a global biotechnology research centre in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea.

Momenta to reduce its biosimilars programmes

Home/Pharma News | Posted 26/10/2018

US-based biotechnology firm Momenta Pharmaceuticals (Momenta) announced on 1 October 2018 that it would be focusing on two key biosimilars and quit the development of five others.

New Alvotech partnerships in South Africa and China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/12/2020

Iceland-based biopharmaceutical company Alvotech entered into two partnerships in November 2020, that will expand their reach into South Africa and China.

AffaMed and EverInsight merger announced

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/11/2020

AffaMed Therapeutics announced a merger agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics on 10 October 2020.

Essex and Henlius collaborate to deliver bevacizumab biosimilar for ophthalmic diseases

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/11/2020

On 15 October 2020, it was announced that two Essex Bio-Technology subsidiaries were entering an agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech. Under this, Essex Bio-Investment and Zhuhai Essex Bio-Pharmaceuticals will work with Henlius to co-develop a bevacizumab biosimilar for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.

Medicure and Reliance sign cardiovascular drug agreement

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/10/2020

Medicure Inc announced on 5 October 2020 that it has entered a License, Manufacture and Supply Agreement with Reliance Life Sciences Private Limited (RLS) for a cardiovascular drug. Under this agreement, Medicure is responsible for the regulatory approval process for the drug product and is granted the exclusive right to market and sell it in Canada, European Union and the US. The cardiovascular drug is currently unnamed.

Aurobindo and Huons refocus their biologicals/biosimilars portfolios

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/10/2020

India-based generics maker Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) has announced a renewed product focus and plans for the biosimilars of its subsidiary company. In addition, Korea-based Huons will collaborate with Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma’s (Prestige) to enter the biosimilars market.

Lotus to distribute CKD’s biosimilar darbepoetin alfa in South East Asia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/10/2020

On 18 September 2020, Taiwan-based Lotus Pharmaceutical Co (Lotus) announced a long-term collaboration with Korea-based Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp (CKD) for the distribution of biosimilar darbepoetin alfa (CKD-1110) in South East Asia.

Henlius and Accord collaborations will see their trastuzumab biosimilar launch globally

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/10/2020

On 30 September 2020, Accord Healthcare (Accord) and Shanghai Henlius Biotech announced that they are to enter a new collaboration. As part of their agreement, Henlius will grant an exclusive licence to Accord US to develop and commercialize their trastuzumab biosimilar in Canada and the US. This follows the June 2018 Henlius‒Accord UK licence agreement, under which Henlius granted Accord UK exclusive commercialization rights of HLX02 trastuzumab. This led the product being approved by the European Commission in July 2020 [1] and its UK launch on 24 September 2020.

Mylan-Upjohn merger receives go ahead from Europe, Australia and New Zealand

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/10/2020

The proposed merger between Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn receives the go-ahead from authorities in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement to combine the two companies was finalised on 29 July 2020. However, the transaction was held-up due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now likely to close in the later part of 2020.

Bio-Thera and BeiGene sign deal to license, distribute and supply Avastin copy biological BAT1706 in China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/09/2020

On 24 August 2020, China-based pharmaceutical companies Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) and BeiGene announced that they have entered into a license, distribution and supply agreement for BAT1706, an investigational copy biological to Avastin^® (bevacizumab), in China.

Ligand to acquire biosimilars manufacturer Pfenex

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/09/2020

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Ligand) is to acquire Pfenex Inc (Pfenex), a manufacturer of biosimilars including teriparatide, ranibizumab and pegfilgrastim.

Kodak Pharmaceutical deal under scrutiny

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/09/2020

In late July 2020, US President Donald Trump announced that the Federal Government would be loaning Eastman Kodak Co US$765 million to develop generic drugs. This is the first loan to be granted under the US Defense Production Act that was passed in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, amid allegations of insider trading, the House of Representatives will review the Kodak Pharmaceutical deal and there will be a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation.

Bio-Thera partners with Pharmapark to market golimumab biosimilar in Russia and other CIS countries

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/09/2020

China-based biopharmaceutical company Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) announced on 18 July 2020 that it has signed a licensing agreement for its proposed golimumab biosimilar BAT2506 with Russia-based Pharmapark.