Russian biosimilars manufacturer Biocad has signed a definitive agreement with Turkish oncology specialist Koçak Farma for the export of biosimilar darbepoetin alpha active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Biocad signs deal for biosimilar darbepoetin alpha in Turkey
Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/09/2013 1 Post your comment
Under the terms of the agreement Biocad will supply biosimilar darbepoetin alpha APIs to Koçak Farma for five years. Biocad will give its Turkish partner exclusive rights to import the API, to produce the finished dosage forms locally, and to distribute and sell biosimilar darbepoetin alpha in Turkey. Koçak Farma, in turn, will have the rights for distribution and sales of finished dosage forms of the drug in Turkey under their own brand name.
Biocad’s drug is a biosimilar of Switzerland-based Roche’s blockbuster cancer medication Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab), which is indicated for the treatment of anaemia in chronic kidney failure and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Rituxan ranks among the top three biological drugs worldwide, with 2012 sales of about US$7 billion [1].
The biosimilar is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials and Biocad is preparing to obtain marketing authorization in Russia. Successful completion of the clinical trials will enable Biocad to launch the first Russian monoclonal antibody-based product on the international pharmaceutical market.
The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on the oncology market, with the biosimilar expected to be available at a much lower price than the originator biological.
The companies are also reported to be discussing full technology transfer to enable local manufacturing of the biosimilar darbepoetin alpha API.
Related articles
Amgen and Pfizer seek deal with Russian biosimilars firm
Sandoz’s biosimilar rituximab on track
Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Sandoz announces biosimilar rituximab [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2013 Sep 6]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Sandoz-announces-biosimilar-rituximab
Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.
Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2013 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.
Posted 24/10/2024 by Mohsin Kamal
Need darbepoetin alfa
We need darbepoetin alfa vials for Pakistan distribution in finished form.
Research
Long-term real-world safety experience of biosimilars confirms concept of biosimilarity
Budget impact analysis of Rixathon introduction in Chile for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
General
Biosimilar medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia
SBR issues consensus on interchangeability of reference products and biosimilars
Comments (1)
Post your comment