Pharma News

Amgen collaborates with Orion to market Amgevita in Finland

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/11/2018

The Orion Group announced on 24 October 2018 that it will distribute Amgen’s adalimumab biosimilar in Finland.

Biosimilar partnerships for Alvotech and Pall Biotech

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/10/2018

Partnering to develop biosimilars is still in vogue. The latest companies to join the trend include Alvotech with Changchun High & New Technology Industries Group (CCHN) and Pall Corporation’s Biotech business (Pall Biotech) with Aetos Biologics.

Mundipharma buys Spanish biosimilars maker Cinfa Biotech

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/10/2018

UK-based Mundipharma International (Mundipharma) is strengthening its position in biosimilars with the acquisition of Spanish biosimilars maker Cinfa Biotech.

MENA mAb manufacturer AryoGen receives EU GMP approval

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/09/2018

Iran-based AryoGen Pharmed (AryoGen) has received a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), becoming one of the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to be certified [1].

Co-development deal for ranibizumab biosimilar Xlucane

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/09/2018

German generics giant Stada and Swedish biotech company Xbrane announced on 12 July 2018 that they had entered into a co-development agreement for Xlucane, a proposed biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab).

AbbVie signs another licensing deal for adalimumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 31/08/2018

US-based pharma giant AbbVie has signed yet another licensing deal for a biosimilar version of its blockbuster arthritis drug Humira (adalimumab).

Mylan and Lupin make deal for etanercept biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/07/2018

Indian generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) and US-based drugmaker Mylan announced on 28 June 2018 that they had made a deal to commercialize an etanercept biosimilar.

Pfenex makes biosimilar deals with Alvogen and NT Pharma

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/07/2018

US-based biotech firm Pfenex has made commercialization deals for its candidate teriparatide biosimilar (PF708) in China and in the US.

Amneal and mAbxience make deal for bevacizumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 29/06/2018

US generics maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals (Amneal) and biosimilars specialist mAbxience, a subsidiary of Spanish healthcare firm Insud Pharma (formerly the Chemo Group), announced on 23 May 2018 that they have signed an exclusive licensing and supply agreement in the US for mAbxience’s candidate bevacizumab biosimilar.

Strides and Apotex to merge Australian generics businesses

Home/Pharma News | Posted 22/06/2018

India-based generics manufacturer Strides Shasun (Strides) announced on 9 May 2018 that it had made an agreement with Canada-based Apotex to merge their Australian businesses.

Sanofi to sell Zentiva generics arm to Advent

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/05/2018

French drugmaker Sanofi announced on 17 April 2018 that it had entered into exclusive negotiations with Advent International (Advent) under which Advent would acquire Zentiva, Sanofi’s European generics business for Euros 1.9 billion.

Mylan and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics partner on adalimumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/05/2018

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics announced on 11 April 2018 that it will partner with Mylan to commercialize its adalimumab biosimilar FKB327. Mylan will be granted exclusive commercialization rights for FKB327 in Europe.

Fujifilm to acquire cell culture media companies

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/04/2018

Fujifilm is expanding its ability to develop and manufacture biologicals by acquiring a pair of cell culture media businesses owned by Japan-based JXTG Holdings for a combined US$800 million.

Stada resubmits biosimilar pegfilgrastim but stops adalimumab development

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/04/2018

German generics giant Stada Arzneimittel (Stada) was informed on 2 March 2018 by Gedeon Richter (Richter) that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted the regulatory resubmission of its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar. However, in another press release the company announced that it was stopping development of its adalimumab biosimilar.

Korea’s CJ Healthcare shares biosimilar technology with China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/04/2018

South Korea’s CJ HealthCare, announced that it has signed a contract with China’s NCPC GeneTech Biotechnology on 31January 2018 to export CJ-40001, a biosimilar version of darbepoetin alfa which is used for the treatment of renal anaemia. South Korea has well-established guidelines for biosimilars [1], whilst China has finalized the technical guidance for the development and evaluation of copy biologicals in February 2015 [2].

Biosimilar deals for Hikma and Lupin

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/03/2018

Collaborations are once again the way forward when it comes to biosimilars. Jordan-based drugmaker Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Hikma) made a licensing deal with South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion in December 2017. In March 2018 Indian generics maker Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) made an agreement with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Mylan and Revance team up for botox biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/03/2018

US-based drugmaker Mylan announced on 28 February 2018 that it had made a deal with Revance Therapeutics to make a biosimilar of Allergan’s cosmetic blockbuster Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA).

MENA region biologicals maker CinnaGen receives EU GMP certification

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/02/2018

Iranian biopharmaceutical company, CinnaGen, has been issued a certificate of good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance by the European Union (EU) at the end of 2017.

Biocon and Sandoz join forces for global next-generation biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 15/02/2018

On 18 January 2018, Biocon and Sandoz announced a global partnership to develop, manufacture and commercialize new next-generation biosimilars that will be available worldwide. This collaboration aims to increase global patient access to a range of high quality, affordable immunology and oncology biological medicines.

J&J drops lawsuit against Samsung Bioepis over Remicade biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/01/2018

Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has dropped its lawsuit against South Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis for infringing patents on the company’s blockbuster immunology drug Remicade (infliximab).

Judge denies attempt to dismiss pay-for-delay class action

Home/Pharma News | Posted 08/12/2017

A federal judge ruled on 3 November 2017 against a motion by three drugmakers to shut down antitrust litigation involving the Lidoderm (lidocaine) pain patch.

Merck KGaA and Samsung BioLogics extend strategic alliance

Home/Pharma News | Posted 01/12/2017

German drugmaker Merck KGaA (Merck Group) announced on 1 November 2017 that it had signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung BioLogics for a strategic alliance on biopharmaceutical manufacturing and biologic[al]s process development’.

Amneal and Impax combine to create 5th largest US generics company

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/11/2017

US generics makers Amneal Pharmaceuticals (Amneal) and Impax Laboratories (Impax) announced on 17 October 2017 that they had entered into a definitive deal to combine the two companies.

Synthon prevails over Copaxone patent dispute

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/10/2017

On 13 September 2017, the Technical Board of Appeal (TBA) of the European Patent Office (EPO) revoked the patent for Teva Pharmaceutical’s (Teva) synthesis of the active ingredient in Copaxone, a key drug used to treat recurring multiple sclerosis (MS). The case against Israel-based Teva was filed by the Netherlands-based generics and biopharmaceuticals company Synthon BV, who is now clear to market their generic glatiramer acetate in a number of European countries.

Amgen and Simcere to collaborate on copy biologicals in China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/10/2017

Biotech giant Amgen and China-based Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (Simcere) announced on 26 September 2017 that they have made an exclusive agreement to co-develop and commercialize four copy biologicals in China.

Fresenius Kabi acquires Merck KGaA’s biosimilars business

Home/Pharma News | Posted 15/09/2017

Fresenius Kabi, one of the independently operated business segments of global healthcare group Fresenius, announced on 1 September 2017 that it had ‘successfully closed the acquisition of Merck KGaA’s biosimilars business’.

Generics in Greece most expensive in the EU and uptake remain low

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/08/2017

Despite being one of Europe’s poorest countries, Greece continues to spend on expensive patented drugs and only a quarter of medicines prescribed in the country are generics, according to recent analysis by Politico.

Daiichi Sankyo ends deal with Coherus for etanercept biosimilar in Japan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/07/2017

Daiichi Sankyo announced on 5 July 2017 that it was ending its co-development in Japan with Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) of a biosimilar to Amgen’s arthritis drug Enbrel (etanercept).

German drugmaker Stada to be sold for over US$5 billion

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/06/2017

After months of discussions, German generics firm Stada has announced that it will be sold for US$5.63 billion to private equity firms Bain Capital and Cinven.

Japan’s Sawai to acquire US generics business Upsher-Smith

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/05/2017

Sawai Pharmaceutical Company Ltd (Sawai) has signed an agreement to purchase the generics section of US firm Upsher-Smith in an attempt to enter the vast American pharmaceuticals market.

Fresenius Kabi to acquire Akorn and Merck KGaA’s biosimilars business

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/04/2017

Fresenius Kabi, one of the independently operated business segments of global healthcare group Fresenius, announced on 24 April 2017 that it had made two deals ‘to strengthen and diversify’ its business.

Samsung BioLogics and Aurobindo investing in biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/04/2017

Both Samsung and Aurobindo see a bright future for biosimilars. Samsung BioLogics, which is the specialized biotechnology arm of Samsung, raised almost US$2 billion in November 2016 via an initial public offering (IPO) that valued the company at US$7.9 billion. This, according to Robert Wessman, Chairman and CEO at Alvogen, ‘underlines the confidence of the market in biosimilar companies’. Especially when considering that Samsung BioLogics only came into existence in 2011 [1].

Merck KGaA to sell off biosimilars business

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/04/2017

Germany’s drugmaker Merck KGaA (Merck Group) is to sell its biosimilars division, according to a statement made in its 2016 annual report.

Australians pay too much for prescription drugs

Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/03/2017

Australians are paying way too much for their prescription drugs, according to a new report released in March 2017 by the Grattan Institute, an independent, non-partisan think tank.

CinnaGen to invest in Turkish pharmaceuticals sector

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/03/2017

Turkey’s health minister, Mehmet Muezzinoglu, has announced that the country is planning to produce medicines locally by attracting foreign investors. The strategy aims to reduce healthcare spending in the country and reduce its reliance on imports of medicines from foreign countries.

Intas enters top 20 generics firms through Actavis purchase

Home/Pharma News | Posted 17/02/2017

Intas Pharmaceuticals (Intas) has completed a deal to acquire Actavis UK and Actavis Ireland (Actavis UK and Ireland) from Teva Pharmaceutical (Teva) for over GBP 600 million.

Baxter expands injectables portfolio with purchase of Claris Injectables

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/02/2017

US-based Baxter International Inc (Baxter) has announced its acquisition of India’s Claris Injectables Ltd, which will enhance the company’s position in the global injectables market.

Mabion signs agreement with Mylan for rituximab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/01/2017

Global specialty pharmaceuticals firm Mylan has reached an agreement with Mabion, a leading biotechnology company in Poland, for the exclusive right to commercialize their rituximab biosimilar candidate in the European Union (EU).

Eagle moves into biosimilars with Arsia acquisition

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/01/2017

Specialty pharmaceuticals company Eagle Pharmaceuticals (Eagle) has signed an agreement to acquire Arsia Therapeutics (Arsia), the biotechnology company behind cutting-edge technology that enables intravenous drugs to be administered by injection.

Strategic biologicals alliance between Sanofi and JHL Biotech in China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/01/2017

Sanofi and JHL Biotech (JHL) announced on 5 December 2016 that they were forming a strategic biologics alliance in China. The two companies will be collaborating on the development and commercialization of biological therapeutics in China, with potential for further international expansion.

Sun Pharma to acquire Russia’s Biosintez

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/12/2016

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) announced on 23 November 2016 its acquisition of Russian pharmaceutical company JSC Biosintez at a cost of US$24 million, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the Russian market.

India’s Cipla to establish biosimilars facility in South Africa

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/11/2016

Indian generics maker Cipla has announced a deal to set up South Africa’s first biosimilars manufacturing facility, at an estimated cost of over US$91 million.

Richter and DM Bio make deal for trastuzumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/11/2016

Hungary-based Gedeon Richter (Richter) announced on 19 October 2016 that it had signed a technology transfer and in-licensing agreement with South Korea-based biologicals specialist DM Bio for the development and commercialization of DM Bio’s trastuzumab biosimilar.

China’s CFDA rejects more than 80% of drug applications

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/10/2016

Data released by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) revealed that between January 2015 and January 2016, 1,184 drug applications submitted to CFDA were rejected or withdrawn due to incomplete or fraudulent clinical data.

Dr Reddy’s expands collaboration with Amgen in India

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/10/2016

Generics manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (Dr Reddy’s) is expanding its collaboration with US-based biologicals specialist Amgen with an agreement to market and distribute three of Amgen’s biological medicines in India in the therapy areas of oncology and osteoporosis.

Sun Pharma announces Japanese distribution pact with Mitsubishi Tanabe

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/10/2016

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) has announced it will transfer marketing authorizations for 14 of its prescription drugs to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (Mitsubishi Tanabe), allowing the company to manufacture and market them in Japan.

Pfizer antibiotics banned across the EU

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/09/2016

An inspection by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has resulted in the ban of several drugs produced by a Pfizer manufacturing site in India.

EMA reports ‘critical deficiencies’ in Chinese API producer Jinan Jinda

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/09/2016

A recent European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) follow up on Jinan Jinda Pharmaceutical Chemi Co Ltd (Jinan Jinda) revealed that the Chinese pharmaceutical company is far off meeting EU standards.

Fosun Pharma to acquire Gland in largest acquisition by a Chinese company in India

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/08/2016

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Fosun Pharma) will acquire an 86% stake in Gland Pharma Ltd for an estimated US$1.2–1.5 billion in China’s largest ever takeover of a company in India.

Mylan receives EU go-ahead to purchase Meda, with conditions

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/08/2016

The European Commission (EC) has approved the multi-billion dollar acquisition of Swedish specialty pharmaceutical company Meda by Mylan, one of the world’s largest generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies, subject to certain conditions.

Teva to acquire US-based generics maker Anda

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/08/2016

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 3 August 2016 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to buy US generics business Anda from Allergan.

Amgen and Daiichi Sankyo make deal for biosimilars in Japan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/08/2016

US-based biologicals specialist Amgen and Japan-based Daiichi Sankyo announced on 13 July 2016 that they had made an exclusive agreement to commercialize nine biosimilars in Japan.

Teva generics being snapped up by rivals

Home/Pharma News | Posted 29/07/2016

There has been a rush on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) generics recently, with another round of companies clambering over the pickings.

UK’s DoH says most medicines do not experience shortages

Home/Pharma News | Posted 01/07/2016

The UK’s Department of Health (DoH) has said that the ‘vast majority’ of prescriptions in the country are not subject to supply problems.

AMRI acquires API maker Euticals

Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/06/2016

US-based Albany Molecular Research Inc (AMRI) announced on 5 May 2016 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to buy Prime European Therapeuticals, also known as Euticals.

Lannett to co-develop biosimilar insulin product with Chinese partner

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/05/2016

US generics maker Lannett Company (Lannett) announced on 22 April 2016 plans to co-develop a biosimilar insulin product for the US market with its strategic partner in China, Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharmaceutical (Yichang), which is part of the HEC Group.

Teva and Takeda establish ‘Teva Takeda Yakuhin’ in Japan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/05/2016

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Company (Takeda) have formed a joint company ‘Teva Takeda Yakuhin’ to produce and sell off-patented medicines in Japan.

SGS and DiscoverX to collaborate on bioassays for biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/05/2016

Contract solutions provider SGS announced on 30 March 2016 that it had entered into a collaboration with innovative life science company DiscoverX.

Dr Reddy’s and TRPharm collaborate on biosimilars in Turkey

Home/Pharma News | Posted 08/04/2016

Generics giant Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Turkish pharma start-up firm TRPharm announced on 10 March 2016 that they had entered into a strategic collaboration agreement for a portfolio of biosimilars in Turkey.

Partnership between PlantForm and Guelph University for biosimilar trastuzumab

Home/Pharma News | Posted 01/04/2016

Canada-based PlantForm Corporation (PlantForm) announced on 3 March 2016 that it had been awarded a Collaborative Research and Development Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Oncobiologics and Premier make biosimilars deal

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/03/2016

US biotechnology company Oncobiologics and healthcare performance improvement alliance Premier announced on 3 March 2016 that they had entered into a collaboration aimed at increasing the use of biosimilars.

Strides Shasun acquires Australian and Kenyan generics makers

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/03/2016

India-based generics manufacturer Strides Shasun has increased its generics portfolio and presence across the globe with two new acquisitions.

Mylan to acquire Swedish drugmaker Meda

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/03/2016

US generics manufacturer Mylan announced on 10 February 2016 that it had made a deal worth US$9.9 billion (for shares and debt) to buy Swedish drugmaker Meda.

Fuji Pharma gains rights to darbepoetin alfa biosimilar in Japan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/02/2016

Japan-based Fuji Pharma announced on 5 January 2016 that it had signed a license agreement with Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical (CKD Pharma). Under the agreement, Fuji Pharma has the exclusive rights in Japan for the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of CKD Pharma’s darbepoetin alfa biosimilar (CKD‑11101).

Mylan and Momenta to jointly develop and commercialize six biosimilar products

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/02/2016

Mylan NV has agreed an exclusive global collaboration with Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc (Momenta) to develop, manufacture and commercialize six of Momenta's biosimilar candidates.

Eisai acquires Chinese generics maker

Home/Pharma News | Posted 22/01/2016

Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai announced on 28 December 2015 that it had acquired Chinese generics maker Liaoning TianYi Biological Pharmaceutical.

Teva and Takeda partner for generics in Japan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/12/2015

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical (Takeda) announced on 30 November 2015 that they had made a partnership to provide generics in Japan.

Generic injectable prices stay high even after shortages resolved

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/11/2015

Hospitals that have been struggling with shortages and subsequent high prices are now complaining that even after supply gets back to normal prices remain high.

Mylan will not be acquiring Perrigo

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/11/2015

Generics company Mylan has failed in its lengthy multi-billion dollar hostile bid to acquire competing generics company Perrigo.

Pfizer cuts some biosimilars after Hospira deal

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/11/2015

After completing its US$17 billion acquisition of Hospira, Pfizer is cutting some of its biosimilar collaborations with South Korean drugmaker Celltrion.

Merck Millipore to collaborate with Turkish firm on biosimilars

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/11/2015

The Life Science division of Merck, Merck Millipore and Turkish biosimilars start-up Turgut Ilaç are to collaborate on biosimilars.

Teva acquires Mexican drugmaker Rimsa

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/10/2015

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) is expanding its presence in emerging markets with its acquisition of Mexico-based Representaciones e Investigaciones Medicas SA de CV (Rimsa), a specialty drugmaker with a portfolio of products and patents across Latin America.

Mylan goes after Perrigo

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/10/2015

US generics manufacturer Mylan announced on 14 September 2015 that it had officially commenced its formal offer to acquire all outstanding ordinary shares of rival Ireland-based generics maker Perrigo Company (Perrigo).

Epirus expands biosimilars pipeline with Bioceros acquisition

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/10/2015

US-based Epirus Biopharmaceuticals (Epirus) announced on 9 September 2015 that it has acquired Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical company Bioceros Holding (Bioceros).

UCB sells generics unit to Lannett

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/09/2015

Belgium-based biopharmaceutical company UCB announced on 2 September 2015 that it would sell its US specialty generics business, Kremers Urban, to US generics company Lannett for US$1.23 billion in cash plus contingent payments.

US FTC clears Pfizer’s purchase of Hospira

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/09/2015

Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 24 August 2015 that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, with respect to Pfizer’s pending acquisition of US-based injectable generics specialist and biosimilars maker Hospira.

ANI Pharma and IDT Australia collaborate on US generics

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/08/2015

US-based brand-name and generic drugmaker ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANI) announced on 12 August 2015 that it had entered into a collaboration with generics company IDT Australia (IDT) to commercialize up to 18 previously marketed US generics.