Firms will develop, produce, and commercialize follow-ons.
Working on the belief that the path to follow-on biologic (FOB) approval will become more straightforward under the Obama administration, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Lonza established a joint venture centered on FOBs.
The companies will work together to develop, manufacture, and market generic equivalents of a selected portfolio of biologics. “We had identified biosimilars as a major growth driver for Teva in our long-term strategy and have been augmenting our knowledge base, capabilities, and infrastructure to position Teva as a leader in this market,” remarks Shlomo Yanai, Teva’s president and CEO.
Yanai adds that Lonza’s experience in biopharmaceutical development and large-scale manufacturing as well as its manufacturing facilities makes it an ideal partner. “Combined with Teva’s global leadership and expertise in clinical development and marketing of generic pharmaceuticals, the joint venture generates significant opportunities and benefits for both companies.”
