Cipla Partners Qilu Pharma for US Biosimilar Keytruda® Deal
Cipla Limited partners with Qilu Pharmaceutical for the exclusive US licensing and supply of QL2107, a biosimilar to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab). Qilu will handle development and supply, while Cipla USA will manage commercialization. This strategic move aims to expand Cipla's oncology portfolio and improve patient access to biologics.
This partnership is significant as it expands Cipla's presence in the US biosimilar market for oncology drugs, potentially leading to future revenue growth and market share gains. However, the full impact is contingent on regulatory approvals and market uptake.
The announcement details a strategic partnership that expands Cipla's oncology portfolio and aims to improve patient access to critical therapies, which is a positive development for the company.
Cipla Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc., has announced a strategic partnership with Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the exclusive licensing and supply of QL2107, a biosimilar to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab), in the United States.
Under the agreement, Qilu Pharmaceutical will manage the development, regulatory registration, and supply of the biosimilar. Cipla USA Inc. will be responsible for its commercialization in the US market, leveraging its established commercial presence. This collaboration aims to address the increasing burden of cancer and improve access to advanced biologic therapies.
Achin Gupta, Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer of Cipla, stated that the partnership aligns with Cipla's strategy to build a strong oncology-focused portfolio and enhance access to high-quality biologics. Marc Falkin, CEO of Cipla North America, highlighted the alignment with the company's strategy to expand its biosimilar portfolio and expressed confidence in successfully launching QL2107 to lower treatment costs. Hanchang Zhang, General Manager of Qilu Pharmaceutical, expressed pleasure in the partnership, emphasizing the combination of Qilu's R&D and manufacturing strengths with Cipla's US commercial expertise to bring an affordable pembrolizumab biosimilar to US patients.
Qilu Pharmaceutical, established in 1958, is a leading vertically integrated pharmaceutical company in China with a robust pipeline including over 50 biosimilars. Cipla, established in 1935, is a global pharmaceutical company with a focus on complex generics and deepening its portfolio in key markets.
A plain-language summary of a public exchange filing by Cipla Limited. Read the original for the full detail.