Pharma News
Lotus to distribute CKD’s biosimilar darbepoetin alfa in South East Asia
On 18 September 2020, Taiwan-based Lotus Pharmaceutical Co (Lotus) announced a long-term collaboration with Korea-based Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp (CKD) for the distribution of biosimilar darbepoetin alfa (CKD-1110) in South East Asia.
Henlius and Accord collaborations will see their trastuzumab biosimilar launch globally
On 30 September 2020, Accord Healthcare (Accord) and Shanghai Henlius Biotech announced that they are to enter a new collaboration. As part of their agreement, Henlius will grant an exclusive licence to Accord US to develop and commercialize their trastuzumab biosimilar in Canada and the US. This follows the June 2018 Henlius‒Accord UK licence agreement, under which Henlius granted Accord UK exclusive commercialization rights of HLX02 trastuzumab. This led the product being approved by the European Commission in July 2020 [1] and its UK launch on 24 September 2020.
Mylan-Upjohn merger receives go ahead from Europe, Australia and New Zealand
The proposed merger between Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn receives the go-ahead from authorities in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement to combine the two companies was finalised on 29 July 2020. However, the transaction was held-up due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now likely to close in the later part of 2020.
Bio-Thera and BeiGene sign deal to license, distribute and supply Avastin copy biological BAT1706 in China
On 24 August 2020, China-based pharmaceutical companies Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) and BeiGene announced that they have entered into a license, distribution and supply agreement for BAT1706, an investigational copy biological to Avastin® (bevacizumab), in China.
Ligand to acquire biosimilars manufacturer Pfenex
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Ligand) is to acquire Pfenex Inc (Pfenex), a manufacturer of biosimilars including teriparatide, ranibizumab and pegfilgrastim.
Kodak Pharmaceutical deal under scrutiny
In late July 2020, US President Donald Trump announced that the Federal Government would be loaning Eastman Kodak Co US$765 million to develop generic drugs. This is the first loan to be granted under the US Defense Production Act that was passed in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, amid allegations of insider trading, the House of Representatives will review the Kodak Pharmaceutical deal and there will be a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation.
Bio-Thera partners with Pharmapark to market golimumab biosimilar in Russia and other CIS countries
China-based biopharmaceutical company Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) announced on 18 July 2020 that it has signed a licensing agreement for its proposed golimumab biosimilar BAT2506 with Russia-based Pharmapark.
Teva changes course in Japan and the US
Israeli drugs manufacturer Teva has made strategic decisions in the US and Japan. The company plans to strip back its Japanese venture with Takeda, selling off parts of the portfolio by early 2021. However, in the US, Teva will be entering a strategic partnership with Alvotech for the commercialization of five biosimilar candidates.
Perrigo sells its UK generic drug business
Perrigo Co Plc (Perrigo) has sold its generic prescription drug business to a private equity firm in a deal worth US$195 million.
COVID-19 drug trials underway
There are over 200 trials for COVID-19 currently in progress. These include trials of monoclonal antibodies, including from the South Korean firm Celltrion, as well as vaccines, notably from the Chinese firm CanSino Biologics.
