Biosimilar and Biologic Business Developments Update – Collaborations and Licensing Deals

Last week, Almirall signed an agreement with WuXi Biologics to collaborate on multiple bispecific antibodies targeting dermatology conditions, including atopic dermatitis. Almirall’s press release indicated that, “[u]nder the terms of the agreement, Almirall has access to WuXi Biologics’ proprietary antibody platforms including WuXiBody™ to discover multiple novel bispecific antibodies.” This strategic collaboration will permit Almirall “to develop the medication under license and maintain ownership for medical use of the resulting components.”

Almirall also entered into an agreement with 23andMe to in-license 23andMe’s bispecific monoclonal antibody designed to block all three members of the IL-36 cytokine subfamily, a cytokine subfamily associated with multiple inflammatory diseases, including various dermatology conditions.  Almirall will secure the rights to “develop and commercialize the antibody for worldwide use.”

This week, Mundipharma revealed that it had entered into an agreement to commercialize Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar candidates in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Mundipharma will be the exclusive commercialization partner for Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar candidates in the area of immunology and oncology, including biosimilars of adalimumab (SB5), etanercept (SB4), trastuzuamb (SB3), and bevacizumab (SB8). Samsung Bioepis will remain the marketing authorization holder responsible for clinical development, regulatory registration, and manufacture of these products.

Ambrx and Sino Biopharma also announced this week their collaboration to develop two next generation cancer biologics. Under the agreement, Ambrx will create two drug candidates, with Sino biopharma leading the IND enabling activities for both China and the US. Sino Biopharma, based in China, will commercialize the products within the greater China area, while Ambrx will commercialize the products for the rest of the world.