In order to increase its presence in emerging markets, Biocon Biologics, a division of the large biopharmaceutical corporation Biocon, stated on Wednesday that it had successfully integrated the biosimilars business it had purchased from the American pharmaceutical company Viatris in more than 70 nations.
The biosimilars division of Viatris was purchased by Biocon Biologics in November 2022. The merger will begin the process of transferring Viatris' activities to Biocon Biologics on July 1, 2023.
A biosimilar is a category of biological product that closely matches a reference biological product—also referred to as the originator or reference product—that has already received regulatory approval. The goal of creating biosimilars is to attain effectiveness, safety, and quality standards that are comparable to those of the reference product.
Previously administered by Viatris in these markets, the current portfolio of commercialised biosimilars, which includes bTrastuzumab, bPegfilgrastim, bBevacizumab, bGlargine, bAspart, bAdalimumab, and bEtanercept, is now a part of Biocon Biologics' commercial organisation.
“Biocon Biologics, in collaboration with partners, will now lead commercial operations in these markets, expanding access to patients with their differentiated portfolio of high-quality biosimilars,” Shreehas Tambe, CEO and Managing Director of Biocon Biologics said.
Leveraging their R&D capabilities, high-quality manufacturing, supply chain excellence, and commercial and regulatory expertise, Biocon Biologics seeks to broaden access to a diverse portfolio of biosimilars, meet patients' needs, and build trusted relationships within the healthcare community in these markets.
“This transition will enable Biocon Biologics to expand the geographic reach of its existing biosimilars portfolio and future pipeline, leveraging Viatris' sales infrastructure and local market expertise,” Susheel Umesh, Chief Commercial Officer - Emerging Markets at Biocon Biologics said.
All of the biosimilar drugs that Viatris previously marketed, including bGlargine (Semglee), bPegfilgrastim (Fulphila), bTrastuzumab (Ogivri), bBevacizumab (Abevmy), and the unlicensed product bAdalimumab (Hulio), will continue to meet the requirements of patients, according to Biocon Biologics. The majority of these goods were created in collaboration with Biocon Biologics and were produced in their facilities in Malaysia and India. The varied portfolio includes treatments for autoimmune illnesses, cancer, and other important therapeutic areas.
Due to the rising incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are the main cause of mortality and disability in emerging markets, there is a critical demand for biosimilars. Low- and middle-income nations, where biologic medicines have had game-changing impacts, particularly in cancer, diabetes, and immunology, account for a sizable portion of premature mortality from NCDs. The ability to provide inexpensive access to these cutting-edge medicines is enormously enhanced by biosimilars.
Biocon Biologics said in a statement that it hopes to help the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 3.4, which focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, by 2030 by increasing access to affordable biosimilars.
