Cipla Gulf, the Dubai-based wholly owned subsidiary of Indian pharma major Cipla and Alvotech, a biopharma company based in Reykjavik entered into an exclusive partnership deal, for the commercialisation of the latter’s biosimilar drug AVT02 in select emerging markets.
Alvotech will be responsible for development and supply of the product, while Cipla Gulf will be responsible for registration and commercialisation, under this partnership, mentioned in a statement by Cipla.
AVT02 is a drug for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, including Plaque Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
Alvotech’s AVT02 is currently in Phase-3 clinical development, ahead of filing with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) by early 2020.
The US-based biopharma major AbbVie’s HUMIRA recorded sales of about $20 billion in 2018, making it the largest-selling blockbuster medicine worldwide.
“By partnering with Cipla, Alvotech gains access to Cipla’s strong commercial network in select emerging markets and deep market experience, which will ultimately benefit patients who will get better access to high-quality biosimilars,” Robert Wessman, founder and chairman of Alvotech, has said.
Adalimumab is the highest-selling pharmaceutical product in the world and the preferred anti-inflammatory treatment option for several autoimmune diseases.
“We look forward to partnering with Alvotech and leveraging our own strong commercial strengths and capabilities to make this highly effective treatment option available to patients in several countries,” Nishant Saxena, CEO, International Business (Europe & Emerging Markets), Cipla, has said.
Cipla Gulf, based in Dubai, is focused on developing new partnerships through in-licensing deals, undertaking market studies, driving market strategies and building customer networks in emerging markets.
Alvotech, a R&D-based biopharmaceutical company, has development centres in Julich, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland, besides in Reykjavik.