India’s Intas Plans Filgrastim Launch in North America, Europe
Dated: 6/1/2008
Intas Biopharmaceuticals (IBPL) has signed an agreement with Canada–based Apotex for co-development and supply of its Filgrastim brand, Neukine in the 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 jointly plan to launch Neukine in the US market.
Says Shri Mani Iyer, executive director, IBPL, “IBPL and Apotex are eying 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 finalized, the companies anticipate that there would be a clear pathway for biotech companies, once the legislation is in place.” Both companies say the deal offers immense growth opportunities as they look to consolidate their presence in the global biogenerics market.
