Pharma News
Alvogen gains exclusive rights to market parathyroid biosimilar in three countries
American pharmaceuticals firm Alvogen has announced exclusive commercialization agreements to distribute and market a teriparatide biosimilar in Canada, Israel and South Korea.
Biocon acquires Pfizer research facility and signs licensing agreement with Evotec
India-based biologicals specialist Biocon has announced the acquisition of a research and development facility from Pfizer Healthcare India Ltd and signed a strategic licensing agreement for an early-stage biosimilar with Evotec Biologics.
Lupin to sell Japanese injectables business and collaborates with German drugmaker on anticancer treatment
India-based generics manufacturer Lupin Ltd – the eighth biggest generics company in the world – has announced the sale of its Japanese injectables business to a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) largest pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Further collaborations formed to penetrate China’s generics market
The Chinese pharmaceutical market is the second largest in the world, and generic drugs make up 70% of its value. Continued growth of China’s generics industry is anticipated owing to rapid population ageing and government policies to promote generics [1]. It is therefore not surprising that generic drug manufacturers are keen to penetrate this market, and indeed over the last few months there have been a number of collaborations with this objective [2-4]. Most recently, Japanese drugmakers Eisai and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical entered into a collaboration agreement to sell generic drugs in China, while Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) partnered with China Medical System Holdings (CMS) to develop and commercialise generics in China.
Celltrion contracts Lonza to manufacture autoimmune treatment Remsima
South Korean biosimilars manufacturer Celltrion have announced a deal with Swiss contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) Lonza to produce its autoimmune biosimilar Remsima at a facility in Singapore.
Shanghai Pharma and Russia’s Biocad form joint venture to sell cancer and autoimmune drugs in China
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding and Russia’s Biocad Pharmaceutical have agreed to form a joint venture to develop, manufacture and market cancer and autoimmune disease treatments in China.
Sandoz makes deal with Polpharma for natalizumab biosimilar
Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, and Poland-based Polpharma Biologics announced on 3 September 2019 that they had signed a worldwide agreement giving Sandoz commercialization rights to Polpharma’s candidate natalizumab biosimilar (PB006).
Huons enters biosimilar market while private equity firm PAG invests in Hisun BioRay
Huons has announced its plans to enter the biosimilar market, and private equity firm PAG has acquired a controlling interesting in Hisun Pharmaceutical’s biopharmaceutical subsidiary, Hisun BioRay.
Alvotech and Cipla Gulf partnership announced
On 29 July 2019, pharmaceutical companies Alvotech and Cipla Gulf announced that they have entered into an exclusive partnership for the commercialization of an adalimumab biosimilar (AVT02), in a selection of emerging markets.
Agreement between Hikma and Civica to reduce US generic drug shortages
Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc and Civica Rx announced a five-year agreement on 23 July 2019. Under the agreement, Hikma will manufacture and supply 14 essential sterile injectable medications for Civica. It will use Hikma's abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) and Civica's labelling and National Drug Code (NDC). The full list of medications included in the agreement, that are often in short supply in US hospitals, will be publicly announced in the near future. Initial shipments are expected by the end of 2019.
