Samsung Bioepis enters into commercialisation agreement for next-generation biosimilar candidates

SB11, a biosimilar candidate referencing LUCENTIS (ranibizumab), is undergoing phase 3 clinical trial, while SB15, a biosimilar candidate referencing EYLEAiii (aflibercept), is in pre-clinical development.

In addition, the agreement provides Biogen an option to extend the commercialization term for Samsung Bioepis’ three anti-TNF biosimilars – BENEPALI (etanercept), FLIXABI (infliximab), and IMRALDI (adalimumab) – in Europe for additional five years, extending the original ten-year agreement. BENEPALI is the most prescribed etanercept in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK). IMRALDI is the leading adalimumab biosimilar in Europe.

The agreement also provides Biogen an option to receive commercialization rights to BENEPALI, FLIXABI and IMRALDI in China in exchange for royalties on sales in the market.

The agreement is a testament to Samsung Bioepis’ strong track record in the field of biosimilars and the potential value that Samsung Bioepis’ ophthalmology biosimilars could deliver to patients and healthcare systems across the world. Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will receive upfront payments of USD 100 million, up to USD 270 million in milestone/option payments, as well as sharing of sales revenue. Samsung Bioepis will be responsible for development, regulatory registration, and manufacture of the products, while Biogen will be responsible for commercialization.

“In Europe, we have been very pleased with Biogen’s commercialization efforts with our anti-TNF medicines, fulfilling the mission of expanding access to high-quality medicines to patients across Europe. By building on this collaboration, we are excited to potentially expand the opportunity for patients living with ophthalmological conditions, who don’t have access to life-changing medicines,” said Christopher Hansung Ko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Samsung Bioepis. “At Samsung Bioepis, we will continue to demonstrate our enduring commitment to biosimilars by further strengthening our pipeline and widening their availability for patients and healthcare systems across the world.”

Samsung Bioepis’ products are now available across Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. The company currently has four biosimilars approved and marketed across Europe, which include the anti-TNF trio of BENEPALI (etanercept), FLIXABI (infliximab) and IMRALDI (adalimumab), as well as an oncologic biosimilar, ONTRUZANT (trastuzumab). In the United States, the company has one biosimilar – RENFLEXIS (infliximab-abda) – approved and marketed. ONTRUZANT (trastuzumab-dttb) received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2019, while ETICOVO (etanercept-ykro) and HADLIMA (adalimumab-bwwd) received FDA approval in April and July 2019, respectively.

Source: Company Press Release