Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo; TSE 4568) today announced the execution of an exclusive agreement to commercialize nine biosimilars in Japan. The deal includes several biosimilars in late stage development, including biosimilars of adalimumab, bevacizumab and trastuzumab.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will remain responsible for the development and manufacturing of the biosimilars. Daiichi Sankyo will file for marketing approval and be responsible for distribution and commercialization in Japan, while Amgen will have a limited right to co-promote the products.
"Amgen is excited to collaborate with Daiichi Sankyo as we seek to drive adoption and build confidence in biosimilars as a means of enhancing patient access to more affordable therapeutic options worldwide," said Scott Foraker, vice president and general manager of Biosimilars at Amgen.
Amgen will retain all additional distribution and commercialization rights for the biosimilar programs outside of Japan. Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Amgen Biosimilars
Amgen Biosimilars is committed to building upon Amgen's experience in the development and manufacturing of innovative human therapeutics to expand Amgen’s reach to patients suffering from serious illnesses. Biosimilars offer the potential to increase patient access to vital medicines, and Amgen is well positioned to leverage its more than 35 years of experience in biotechnology to create high-quality biosimilars and reliably supply them to patients worldwide.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
About Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. With over 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for hypertension and thrombotic disorders, under the Group's 2025 Vision to become a "Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology," Daiichi Sankyo research and development is primarily focused on bringing forth novel therapies in oncology, including immuno-oncology, with additional focus on new horizon areas, such as pain management, neurodegenerative diseases, heart and kidney diseases, and other rare diseases.