Pharma News
Prestige-Cytiva partnership and new Korean R & D facility
Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma, which specializes in the development of antibody therapeutics, is to build a new research and development (R & D) facility in the Republic of Korea and has entered a strategic partnership with Cytiva.
Theramex to market Prolia biosimilar in Europe and Australia
UK-based pharmaceutical company Theramex UK Ltd, which focuses on women’s health, has announced an agreement with India’s Enzene Biosciences Limited for the registration and commercialisation of a Prolia (denosumab) biosimilar in Europe and Australia.
AbbVie antitrust investigation and Sandoz biosimilar delay
In May 2021, following the release of a report, it was announced that AbbVie is likely to be subject to an antitrust investigation due to claims it has delayed market entry of biosimilars of Humira (adalimumab). Alvotech also raised a complaint against AbbVie after being sued over their Humira biosimilar application. In addition, the US Supreme Court denied Sandoz the ability to release its Enbrel (etanercept) biosimilar.
Merck partners with Indian drugmakers to increase access to COVID-19 drug
On 27 April 2021, Merck & Co Inc (also known as MSD Pharmaceuticals) announced that it had partnered with five Indian generic drug manufacturers to expand production and access to its experimental COVID-19 drug.
Bevacizumab and insulin aspart non-originator biologicals to be sold in Russia
Singapore-based Prestige Biopharma (Prestige) has formed an agreement with Russian company Pharmapark to commercialize Prestige’s bevacizumab non-originator biological in Russia. Russian company Geropharm has also launched an insulin aspart non-originator biological on the market in the country.
Huons Lab and PanGen Biotech to develop denosumab biosimilar
On 20 April 2021, Korean pharmaceutical company, Huons Lab, announced the development of a denosumab biosimilar to treat osteoporosis. The company is working with PanGen Biotech and using their cell line culturing and purification technology.
PlantForm and partners in Brazil to develop pembrolizumab biosimilar
Canada-based PlantForm Corporation (PlantForm) have signed an agreement with partners in Brazil to develop a biosimilar of the cancer treatment pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Biocon partners with Libbs for the sale of generics in Brazil
India-based biologicals specialist Biocon has formed an out-licensing agreement with Brazil-based company Libbs Farmaceutica for the sale of generic drugs in the country, marking Biocon’s entry into the Latin American market for generics.
New partnerships for Cipla and Samsung Bioepis
In March 2021, Cipla announced that its subsidiary, Cipla Gulf is expanding its partnership with Alvotech for the marketing and distribution of four biosimilar medicines in Australia and New Zealand. Samsung Bioepis also announced that it has signed a marketing partnership with Yuhan to launch its biosimilar of Humira (adalimumab), Adalloce, in South Korea.
Pfizer sells Chinese copy biologicals plant to WuXi Biologics
China-based WuXi Biologics announced on 17 March 2021 that it had made an agreement with Pfizer China to acquire its state-of-the-art biologicals manufacturing facilities as well as its labour force in Hangzhou, China.
