Plantform and Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocrus to Partner on Pembrolizumab Biosimilar for Brazil

Last week, PlantForm Corporation, PlantPraxis Biotecnologia and Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz announced that they are entering into a research and development agreement to develop pembrolizumab, a biosimilar of Keytruda®, for the Brazilian Market.  According to the announcement, Bio-Manguinhos is a Brazilian government institution responsible for technology development and production of vaccines, reagents and biopharmaceuticals to meet public health needs, while PlantPraxis is a joint venture between PlantForm do Brasil (a wholly owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation) and Axis Biotec Brazil.  Further, according to the release, “[f]ollowing successful completion of clinical trials and market entry in Brazil through Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, PlantForm and PlantPraxis will take biosimilar pembrolizumab to world markets.”