Under the agreement, Samsung will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development, process development and manufacturing, clinical trials and registration of multiple pre-specified and undisclosed biosimilar candidates.
Merck, who will be responsible for commercialization of the candidates, will provide Samsung with upfront payment, product supply income as well as additional payments associated with pre-specified clinical and regulatory milestones.
Further financial details have not been disclosed.
Merck biologics and vaccines research senior vice president Rich Murray said the combination of the company’s global commercial presence with Samsung Bioepis’ biologic development and manufacturing capabilities positions the two companies well to increase access to biosimilars to improve human health.
"We look forward to this collaboration and its potential to complement our internal, expanding biologics portfolio," Murray added.