Bridion is a muscle relaxation antagonist used to bring people round following anaesthesia [1]. It first became available in South Korea in 2013 and now, in April 2022, the originator patent expires, opening up the market for generics entry. Although a number of companies attempted to invalidate MSD’s patent (previously Merck) and receive a period of generic market exclusivity, none were successful; and the Korean market is now open to all approved products. Companies due to enter the market include CTC Bio Intro Bio Pharma, Hana Pharm, Huons Global, and Chong Kun Dang, all of which filed suits to invalidate the originator patent.

It has also been announced that Celltrion, Dongbang and Hanmi will develop and produce generic COVID-19 therapy drugs and supply them to 95 low- and medium- income countries under the terms of the contract with the United Nations (UN)-backed Medicine Patent Pool (MPP).

Celltrion signed a contract with the UN MPP for the generic production of Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid [2]. In addition, Celltrion, Dongbang and Hanmi are all now able to produce and supply generic drugs after securing a licence for MSD’s oral COVID-19 treatment, molnupiravir which is also included in the UN MPP [2].

Celltrion has previously been investigating the use of its infliximab biosimilar to treat patients with COVID-19 infection [3].

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Biosimilar advances for Celltrion Healthcare

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Merck to create spin-off for women’s health and biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Apr 15]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/pharma-news/Merck-to-create-spin-off-for-women-s-health-and-biosimilars
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. MPP agreements allow generics production of Merck and Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatments [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Apr 15]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/generics/general/mpp-agreements-allow-generics-production-of-merck-and-pfizer-s-covid-19-treatments
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biocon and Celltrion make progress in the battle against COVID-19 [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Apr 15]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/Biocon-and-Celltrion-make-progress-in-the-battle-against-COVID-19

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