Samsung Bioepis has signed a licensing, development and commercialisation agreement with Nipro for multiple biosimilar candidates.
The deal includes ustekinumab biosimilar SB17, which is used to treat a range of autoimmune conditions such as Chron's disease, severe plaque psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Through this agreement, Samsung Bioepis will take responsibility for the development, manufacture and supply of Nipro's biosimilar candidates within Japan.
Meanwhile, Nipro will be responsible for their commercialisation within the country.
This deal comes at a time when biologics are soaring in popularity, and demand for more cost-effective alternatives to branded therapeutics like ustekinumab is at an all-time high.
“Entering this partnership with Nipro marks and important step towards expanding our footprint in Japan," noted Samsung Bioepis' President and CEO, Kyung-Ah Kim.
"Biosimilars have great potential to bring cost savings to healthcare systems while widening patient and provider access within Japan."
"We look forward to collaborating with Nipro, a company already renowned for its high-quality medical devices and healthcare solutions within the country."
Moving forward, Samsung Bioepis has also vouched to advance its development platform, "innovating access to treatments for healthcare systems, payers, physicians and patients around the world," concludes Kim.