BRIEF—Daiichi Sankyo debuts Herceptin biosimilar in Japan

Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo has launched the antitumor agent trastuzumab BS for intravenous drip infusions 60mg and 150mg “Daiichi Sankyo” in Japan today.

Developed and sold as Herceptin by Swiss pharma giant Roche, the biosimilar was developed by US biotech major Amgen. The product was approved on September 21, 2018, and is indicated for breast cancer with HER2 overexpression (Dosage A), and unresectable advanced or relapsed gastric cancer with HER2 overexpression (Dosage B).

Based on the exclusive agreement on the commercialization of biosimilars concluded with Amgen in July 2016, Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the distribution and commercialization of the biosimilar in Japan, while Amgen is responsible for its manufacture.

This is the first biosimilar product launched by Daiichi Sankyo, and the company expects that the product will provide patients and medical professionals with various options for cancer treatment, thereby further contributing to medical treatment.