The deal is expected to close by the end of first quarter of 2025 and will provide Coherus with US$483 million upfront. With an additional US$75 million in potential sales milestones, the total sale price is anticipated to reach approximately US$558 million. Furthermore, some Coherus employees involved with Udenyca will transfer to Intas, reducing overhead and other commercial expenses associated with the biosimilar. 

Pegfilgrastim is a PEGylated form of the recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analogue filgrastim. It stimulates the production of white blood cells (neutrophils). Pegfilgrastim treatment is used to encourage bone marrow to produce more neutrophils to help fight infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy [1]. 

Udenyca was first approved in the US in 2018 [2], and Coherus’ auto-injector version received approval in early 2023 [3]. Additionally, Udenyca OnBody, a wearable device that administers Udenyca directly into the patient and automatically retracts the needle after administration to reduce the risk of injury, was approved in the US in 2023 [4]. The device features an indicator and status light, as well as an auditory signal to helps patients confirm that Udenyca has been administered.

This announcement follows news from June 2024, when the company revealed that it was divesting Yusimry (aflibercept), an adalimumab biosimilar to AbbVie’s rheumatoid arthritis therapy Humira, to Hong Kong King-Friend Industrial (HKF) in a US$40 million deal [5]. Earlier, in January 2024, Coherus sold its ophthalmology portfolio to Sandoz for US$170 million [6]. This sale included Cimerli (ranibizumab), a biosimilar to Roche’s Lucentis.
Coherus plans to use a significant portion of the funds to pay off a US$230 million in debt and hasearmarked another US$49 million to buy out certain royalty obligations related to the drug. 

These divestitures align with Coherus' strategy to become an oncology-focused company. For example, the company recently signed a deal for the rights Loqtorzi, an inhibitor developed by Junshi Biosciences, which is approved for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 

Related articles
Coherus retracts AbbVie restraining order in Humira biosimilar dispute

Coherus: lowest price adalimumab biosimilars announced

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/Biosimilars-of-pegfilgrastim
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars approved in the US [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/biosimilars-approved-in-the-us
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. US and EC approvals for Hyrimoz, US approval for Udenyca autoinjector [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/us-and-ec-approvals-for-hyrimoz-us-approval-for-udenyca-autoinjector
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. FDA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udenyca OnBody autoinjector [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/fda-approves-pegfilgrastim-biosimilar-udenyca-onbody-autoinjector
5. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Coherus sells adalimumab biosimilar Yusimry to HKF for US$40 million amid oncology focus [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/pharma-news/coherus-sells-adalimumab-biosimilar-yusimry-to-hkf-for-us-40-million-amid-oncology-focus
6. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Sandoz US acquisition of ranibizumab biosimilar from Coherus [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/pharma-news/sandoz-us-acquisition-of-ranibizumab-biosimilar-from-coherus

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