AET BioTech and BioXpress to co-develop biosimilar Humira

Plans to develop another biosimilar version of Abbott Laboratories blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira (adalimumab) have been announced by AET BioTech, the separate biosimilars business within the generic drug developer AET (Alfred E Tiefenbacher) Group and BioXpress Therapeutics, a Swiss-based biotechnology company developing monoclonal antibody (MAb) biosimilars.

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics, the 50/50joint venture between Japanese film and medical equipment giant Fujifilm and Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Hakko Kirin, launched earlier this year is has also announced its intention to develop, manufacture and market a biosimilar of the fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody adalimumab (The Pharma Letter March 29).

AET BioTech and BioXpress will be jointly responsible for the development, registration and manufacture of the biosimilar, which is based on BioXpress technology. The development strategy devised and implemented by the partners incorporates regulatory requirements for marketing in countries worldwide. Beside active involvement in the development of the MAb, AET BioTech will in particular be responsible for providing further investment in the biosimilar based on committed long term financing. AET BioTech is also responsible for any future commercialization of the product. Abbott’s Humira had 2011 global sales exceeding $7.9 billion.