Company Watch

Intas to launch Filgrastim

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL) has signed an agreement with Canada based Apotex for co-development and supply of its Filgrastim brand, Neukine, in North America (US and Canada). European pharmaceutical major Kwizda Pharma, which is working with IBPL to develop G-CSF for the European market, has transferred all of its rights in IBPL's G-CSF to Apotex. Both, Apotex and IBPL, will jointly launch Neukine in US market.

Speaking on the development, Mani Iyer, Executive Director, IBPL, said, "This business deal brings together two companies having respective expertise in niche areas of operations. IBPL and Apotex have complementary strengths, which will help in launching the first GCSF generic in North America. IBPL and Apotex are eyeing a significant share of total G-CSF market in North America and Europe, which is currently estimated to be around $1.4 billion annually. Although guidelines for biosimilar product registration in North America are not yet finalised, the companies anticipate that there would be a clear pathway for biotech companies, once the legislation is in place. IBPL and Apotex are keen to explore prospective business opportunities for more biosimilar products in the coming years."

Taking the thought further, Dr Jeremy B Desai, Executive Vice President, R&D, Apotex added, "This agreement represents an important milestone for Apotex, as it strengthens the organisation's development in Europe and will offer support for entering this important market with future biosimilar products currently in the Apotex development pipeline."

Dr Helmut Brunar, Vice President, Research and Business Development, Kwizda Pharma, explained, "It is part of Kwizda Pharma's current business strategy to work together with non-European pharmaceutical companies to break into the European market. That is why we worked with IBPL to successfully complete a phase I clinical trial and have transferred our rights in IBPL's G-CSF to Apotex, including initiation of a phase III trial for the approval of G-CSF in Europe." The deal offers immense growth opportunities for both, Apotex and IBPL, as they look to consolidate their presence in the global biogenerics market.