Sandoz Licenses Its Biosimilar Rituximab To Kyowa Hakko Kirin In Japan

Sandoz, a Novartis company and the global leader in biosimilars, announced recently that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd for the distribution and promotion of its biosimilar rituximab - a monoclonal antibody, in Japan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sandoz will file for marketing authorization of biosimilar rituximab and its manufacture if approved. Kyowa Hakko Kirin will be responsible for all sales, marketing and promotion activities in Japan.

Kyowa Hakko Kirin will pay Sandoz an up-front fee, subsequent payments for regulatory filing, regulatory approval, success-based milestones, royalties as well as defined supply price for every order.

“The agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin announced today demonstrates our commitment to expanding patient access to biosimilars across the world” said Carol Lynch, Global Head Biopharmaceutical & Oncology Injectables, Sandoz. “If approved, biosimilar rituximab means that healthcare professionals in Japan will have more choice in what they prescribe to their patients with hematological cancers.”

Sandoz is committed to increasing patient access to high-quality, life-enhancing biosimilars. It is the pioneer and global market leader and currently markets three biosimilars. Sandoz has a leading pipeline and plans to make 10 regulatory filings over a three year period (2015-2017). As part of the Novartis Group, Sandoz is well-positioned to lead the biosimilars industry based on its experience and capabilities in development, manufacturing and commercialization.

About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis company, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, driving sustainable access to high-quality healthcare. Sandoz employs more than 26,000 people worldwide and supplies a broad range of affordable, primarily off-patent products to patients and customers around the globe. The Sandoz portfolio comprises approximately 1,100 molecules, which accounted for 2014 sales of USD 9.6 billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany’s Greater Munich area. The company holds leading global positions in biosimilars as well as in generic anti-infectives, ophthalmics and transplantation medicines.