Pharma News

Aurobindo and Huons refocus their biologicals/biosimilars portfolios

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/10/2020

India-based generics maker Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) has announced a renewed product focus and plans for the biosimilars of its subsidiary company. In addition, Korea-based Huons will collaborate with Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma’s (Prestige) to enter the biosimilars market.

Lotus to distribute CKD’s biosimilar darbepoetin alfa in South East Asia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/10/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/10/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/10/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/09/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/09/2020

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Ligand) is to acquire Pfenex Inc (Pfenex), a manufacturer of biosimilars including teriparatide, ranibizumab and pegfilgrastim.

Kodak Pharmaceutical deal under scrutiny

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/09/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/09/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/08/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/07/2020

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

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/07/2020

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.

Aurobindo/Sandoz deal falls through, biosimilars business transferred to subsidiary

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/06/2020

It has been announced that Aurobindo Pharma’s planned deal to take over the US generic oral solids and dermatology businesses of Sandoz has fallen through. More recently, the company has transferred its biosimilars business to its wholly owned subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics.

Fresenius Kabi signs marketing agreement for adalimumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/06/2020

German pharmaceutical company Fresenius Kabi has signed an agreement with methotrexate supplier Medac for the sale of its adalimumab biosimilar Idacio. The agreement is likely to boost sales of Idacio.

Success for Celltrion in Japan and Samsung Bioepis in Europe

Home/Pharma News | Posted 29/05/2020

South Korean biosimilar manufacturer Celltrion’s trastuzumab biosimilar has gained a 40% market share in Japan. Meanwhile, Samsung Bioepis, which is also headquartered in South Korea, announced European sales in excess of US$200 million in the first quarter of 2020.