Samsung Bioepis links up on next-generation biosimilars in China

South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis, a joint venture between the Korean conglomerate Samsung and US biotech Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB), has said it is expanding in mainland China through a licensing agreement with C-Bridge Capital.

The agreement covers multiple biosimilar candidates from Samsung Bioepis, including third-wave biosimilar candidates SB11 and SB12, which reference Novartis (NOVN: VX) and Roche’s (ROG: SIX) Lucentis (ranibizumab) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ (Nasdaq: ALXN Solaris (eculizumab), respectively, as well as SB3, a biosimilar candidate referencing Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Under the agreement, C-Bridge will establish a new biopharmaceutical company, AffaMed Therapeutics, which will collaborate with Samsung Bioepis across a number of areas, including clinical development, regulatory registration and commercialization in China. Samsung Bioepis will receive an upfront payment, as well as royalties on sales. Additional financial details were not disclosed.