Samsung Bioepis inks biosimilars deal with Nipro for Japan

South Korea’s biosimilar drug developer Samsung Bioepis has announced that the company has entered into a license, development and commercialization agreement with Nipro Corporation (TYO: 8086) for multiple biosimilar candidates including SB17, a ustekinumab biosimilar candidate, in Japan.

Under the trade name Stelara, ustekinumab was originally developed by US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). The drug is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will be responsible for the development, manufacture and supply of the medicines, while Nipro will be responsible for commercialization of the medicines in Japan. No further financial terms of the accord were disclosed.