Kyowa Hakko gains Japan rights for Sandoz' rituximab biosimilar

Mid-size Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Hakko Kirin (TYO: 4151) has entered into an agreement with Sandoz KK, a local subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX), for exclusive marketing rights to Sandoz' biosimilar rituximab in Japan.

Rituximab, the active ingredient of Roche’s (ROG: SIX) blockbuster cancer drug Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab), is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 for treatment of hematological malignancies. Sandoz is developing a biosimilar rituximab globally which is mainly targeted for the treatment of patients with CD20-positive, indolent B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Japan.

Terms of the deal

Under the terms of the accord, Kyowa Hakko Kirin will pay Sandoz an up-front fee, subsequent payments for regulatory filing, regulatory approval, and success based milestones as well as royalties. Sandoz will file for marketing authorization of the product. Kyowa Hakko Kirin will be responsible for all sales, marketing and promotion activities in Japan.