Samsung Bioepis announced on the 18th that it has signed a partnership agreement with Swiss global pharmaceutical company Sandoz for the development and sales of up to five biosimilars.
The agreement is an early collaboration deal for the research, development, and commercialization of 'SB36,' a biosimilar of 'Entyvio' (vedolizumab) currently under development by Samsung Bioepis. Entyvio treats inflammatory bowel disease by suppressing excessive immune responses of the 'alpha-4 beta-7 integrin' protein that binds to the intestine. Its annual global sales reach 914.1 billion yen (approximately 9 trillion won).
Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will handle product development, manufacturing, and supply, while Sandoz will secure global market rights excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and South Korea at the time of commercialization. The two companies also agreed to pursue strategic collaboration partnerships for up to five follow-on pipeline products from Samsung Bioepis, including SB36.
With this deal, the two companies are further strengthening their strategic cooperation in the global biosimilar market, following their 2023 partnership for North American and European sales of 'SB17,' a biosimilar of 'Stelara' (ustekinumab).
Samsung Bioepis is also pursuing customized commercialization strategies by diversifying sales approaches by region and product. In Europe, starting with direct sales of 'SB12,' a biosimilar of rare disease treatment 'Soliris' (eculizumab), in 2023, the company has since expanded its direct-sales portfolio to four products. In the United States, the company has listed its products as preferred drugs with major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and signed private-label supply agreements for SB17 with two of the three largest U.S. PBMs last year.
"By signing this partnership for early development collaboration on our follow-on pipeline, we have once again confirmed our global-level R&D capabilities," said Kim Kyung-ah, CEO of Samsung Bioepis. "We will continue to leverage our leadership in the immunology biosimilar market to provide more patients with treatment opportunities through high-quality medicines."
