Fujifilm JV plans bevacizumab biosimilar; Fujifilm Diosynth Bio alliance with Piramal for ADCs

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics has that it will endeavor to develop a biosimilar version of bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody which has impressive therapeutic effects for cancers such as colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, and is the active ingredient of Roche’s blockbuster Avastin.

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics is a 50/50joint venture between Japanese film and medical equipment giant Fujifilm and Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Hakko Kirin, launched earlier this year for the development, manufacture and marketing of biosimilars (The Pharma Letter March 29). At present, the company is developing a biosimilar of the fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody, adalimumab (Abbott’s Humira), a drug with therapeutic effects for rheumatoid arthritis, and is proceeding with preparations to begin clinical trials in Europe in the first half of 2013.

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics intends to develop the biosimilar version of bevacizumab as the second drug in their line-up. After introducing the production cell line already produced by Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics plans to start clinical trials in 2014.