Under the terms of the agreement, Japan-based Daiichi Sankyo and US-based biosimilars specialist Coherus BioSciences will work together to develop, manufacture and commercialise biosimilars of etanercept and rituximab developed by Coherus BioSciences. Upon marketing approval, Daiichi Sankyo will commercialise these products in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Coherus BioSciences has retained all additional development and commercial rights outside of the licensed territories.

Mr Denny Lanfear, Chief Executive Officer of Coherus BioSciences, said that the collaboration was ‘a significant strategic event for Coherus BioSciences’, demonstrating that the company was well positioned to make ‘a major impact toward providing access to biosimilar therapies for patients on a global basis’.

Mr Joji Nakayama, President & CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, said that ‘by creating an opportunity for an early entry into the biosimilars market, this agreement will strengthen our internal platform for manufacturing and developing biopharmaceuticals, leading directly to the introduction of other biosimilars therapies in the future.’

The move underpins Daiichi Sankyo’s further diversification away from proprietary medicines. The company has already made major moves into generics, with the purchase of Indian generics company Ranbaxy for US$5.4 billion in 2010 [1].

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Reference

1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Abbott acquires Indian generics’ maker Piramal Healthcare [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2012 May 18]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Abbott-acquires-Indian-generics-maker-Piramal-Healthcare