SHENYANG, China, Jan. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 3SBIO INC. (01530.HK), a leading biopharmaceutical company in China, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Samsung Bioepis (“Samsung Bioepis”) to conduct clinical development and commercialization of multiple biosimilar candidates from Samsung Bioepis in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions), including SB8, a biosimilar candidate of bevacizumab.
“Samsung Bioepis possesses globally leading capabilities in the research, development, and manufacturing of biologics. By leveraging 3SBIO INC.’s integrated platform advantages in China, the two parties will provide safe and affordable biologic treatment solutions for Chinese patients. 3SBIO INC. looks forward to accelerating the clinical development of SB8 in China through this collaboration with Samsung Bioepis, thereby expanding its product portfolio in the oncology field,” stated Dr. Lou Jing, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 3SBIO INC. “Through internal R&D and strategic collaborations, 3SBIO INC. will continue to strengthen its leadership position in the biopharmaceutical sector and bring high-quality, urgently needed products to the Chinese and international markets more rapidly.”
“We are delighted to expand our biosimilar business into China and look forward to our biosimilar products playing a significant role in providing high-quality medical care to a broad patient population. We are confident that by partnering with 3SBIO INC, we can combine Samsung Bioepis’s mature development platform with 3SBIO INC’s robust commercialization platform to achieve our goals,” said Christopher Hansung Ko, Chairman and CEO of Samsung Bioepis. “Samsung Bioepis will continue to strengthen its product pipeline and expand the accessibility of its products to patients and healthcare systems worldwide, fulfilling our enduring commitment.”
Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will be responsible for the manufacturing and supply of the products and will engage in a series of collaborations with 3SBIO INC., including clinical development, regulatory registration, and commercialization in China. Samsung Bioepis will receive upfront payments and product supply revenue from 3SBIO INC. and will be eligible to receive milestone payments related to clinical and regulatory achievements. Further financial terms have not been disclosed at this time.
It is understood that the indications for bevacizumab biosimilars in China will target metastatic colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). According to data from the National Cancer Center, in 2015, there were 376,000 new cases of colorectal cancer and 191,000 deaths in China (incidence rate: 26.6 per 100,000; mortality rate: 13.5 per 100,000). The incidence of colon cancer has risen significantly, with rates in urban areas far exceeding those in rural areas; moreover, most patients are diagnosed at mid-to-late stages. Lung cancer is the most prevalent and deadly cancer in China, with 733,000 new cases and 610,000 deaths reported in 2015 (incidence rate: 51.9 per 100,000; mortality rate: 43.2 per 100,000), among which over 90% were cases of non-small cell lung cancer.
About 3SBIO INC.
3SBIO Inc. is a comprehensive biotechnology company with a leading market position in the biopharmaceutical sectors of oncology, autoimmune diseases, nephrology, metabolic disorders, and dermatology. Committed to building an innovative product pipeline, 3SBIO currently has over 30 products under development. Its manufacturing capabilities cover recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and chemically synthesized molecules, with production facilities located in Shenyang, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Como, Italy. For more information, please visit www.3sbio.com.