The deal includes several biosimilars in late-stage development, including biosimilars of adalimumab, bevacizumab and trastuzumab.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will remain responsible for the development and manufacturing of the biosimilars. Daiichi Sankyo will file for marketing approval and be responsible for distribution and commercialization in Japan, while Amgen will have a limited right to co-promote the products.

Amgen will retain all additional distribution and commercialization rights for the biosimilar programmes outside of Japan.

Daiichi Sankyo also made an agreement with US-based biosimilars specialist Coherus BioSciences back in May 2012 for the development and commercialization of biosimilars of etanercept and rituximab in certain Asian countries including Japan [1].

This latest deal marks another move by Daiichi Sankyo’s to diversify away from proprietary medicines. The company has already made major moves into generics, with the purchase of Indian generics company Ranbaxy for US$5.4 billion in 2010 [2].

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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Daiichi Sankyo and Coherus Biosciences make biosimilars deal [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 Aug 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Daiichi-Sankyo-and-Coherus-BioSciences-make-biosimilars-deal
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Ranbaxy to transfer R & D and focus on generics [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 Aug 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Ranbaxy-to-transfer-R-D-and-focus-on-generics

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