The breakdown of the deal for the worldwide commercialisation of Biocon’s biosimilar versions of insulin and insulin analogs (recombinant human insulin, aspart, glargine and lispro) which was signed in October 2010 [1], means that all rights licensed to Pfizer will revert to Biocon. All insulin distributed under the brand name Univia and Glarvia will, as of 12 March 2012, be commercially available from Biocon only and will be exclusively manufactured, supplied, marketed and supported by Biocon.

Although Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon, believes that the event is not a major blow, this is not good news for the biotech company. Biocon had expected to receive US$350 million, along with additional payments linked to Pfizer’s sales of its four biosimilar insulin products across global markets [1].

Pfizer had apparently already made a US$100 million upfront payment, which will be retained by Biocon, and the company also expects to receive a substantial part of US$100 million in escrow, in addition to other settlements.

Ms Diem Nguyen, General Manager for biosimilars at Pfizer, said that the company ‘continues to be dedicated to developing a broad portfolio of biosimilars medicines, including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins products, both internally and through collaborations.’ Ms Nguyen added that ‘in addition, we will continue to be active in our own research and business development efforts for diabetes, which represents a huge unmet medical need.’

‘Globally, insulin is a US$15-billion opportunity’ and ‘there is no dearth of interest in the space’, according to Ms Shaw, who remains positive about Biocon’s possibilities for marketing in the key markets of Europe and the US without Pfizer on board.

Ms Shaw concluded by saying that ‘Biocon remains committed to delivering its Biosimilar Insulins portfolio to global markets in its endeavour to make a difference to diabetic patients across emerging and developed economies. Biocon will continue to work with its existing partners in several markets and will pursue a commercial strategy on its own and through new alliances in other markets.’

Reference

1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Pfizer and India-based Biocon make biosimilar insulin deal [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2012 Mar 16]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Pfizer-and-India-based-Biocon-make-biosimilar-insulin-deal