Sandoz inks exclusive global deal on next-generation biosimilars

Sandoz, Swiss pharma giant Novartis’ (NOVN: VX) generics and biosimilars business, has signed a global partnership with Indian drugmaker Biocon (BSE: 532523), to develop, manufacture and commercialize multiple biosimilars in immunology and oncology for patients worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will share responsibility for end-to-end development, manufacturing and global regulatory approvals for a number of products, and will have a cost and profit share arrangement globally. Worldwide commercialization responsibilities will be divided and each company's strengths will be leveraged within specific geographies. Sandoz will lead commercialization in North America and the European Union, while Biocon will lead commercialization in Rest of the World.

Although financial terms of the deal were not revealed, an analyst quoted by Moneycontrol News said Biocon may have got "better terms in profit share" in the Sandoz partnership compared to what it may get in the Mylan deal for lucrative markets such as the USA and Europe.