Pharma News
Dr Reddy’s buys Wockhardt plant and Strides acquires 18 ANDAs
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (Dr Reddy’s) is to acquire US$260 million worth of Wockhardt’s business including a major manufacturing facility in India, while Strides is to acquire 18 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for the US market.
FDA’s response to coronavirus
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a comprehensive statement regarding effects on the supply chain and inspections of plants overseas.
Roche continues litigation in India and receives fine in Romania
Switzerland-based pharmaceutical giant Roche is continuing to pursue legal action in India over a trastuzumab similar biologic and has recently been fined in Romania for delaying the entry of biosimilars to the market.
New biosimilars partnerships from Alvotech and Biocon
Alvotech has formed an exclusive partnership with JAMP Pharma (JAMP) for the commercialization of its biosimilars in Canada, while Biocon has expanded its collaboration with Equillium to include Australia and New Zealand.
Amgen to buy out Japanese partner Astellas
US-based biotech giant Amgen has announced that it will dissolve its joint venture with the Japanese company Astellas in order to operate the unit independently. This means Astellas will become a wholly-owned Amgen affiliate.
Celltrion to build facility in China and increase new drug output
South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion has announced plans to build its first overseas factory in China. The company also intends to release one new biosimilar per year until 2030.
Merck to create spin off for women’s health and biosimilars
US pharma giant Merck is to create a spin-off company for its women’s health, biosimilars and legacy products, allowing the main company to focus on blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
US health insurers partner with generics maker Civica
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a federation of health insurers in the US, has formed a partnership with generics manufacturer Civica Rx to reduce the costs of generic drugs.
Coherus signs licensing deal for bevacizumab biosimilar in the US
US-based Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) announced on 13 January 2020 that it had entered into a licensing agreement with Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Innovent Biologics (Innovent) for its bevacizumab product, IBI305.
Top 10 most read GaBI Online articles in 2019
It has once again been a busy year for biosimilars. One of the most important milestones for biosimilars in 2019 was the World Health Organization (WHO) pilot programme to prequalify rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars. Other subjects of interest for biosimilars were US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approvals, naming and regulation of biosimilars, as well as biosimilar guidance, uptake and switching.
