Viropro unlocks its biosimilars portfolio

  May 30, 2012  Viropro, Inc. creates a technology subsidiary to focus on the burgeoning International market for biosimilar drug therapeutics.    Over the past year, several of the large pharmas have tied up with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and/or with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) to enter the field of biosimilars. With the US FDA publishing guidelines for biosimilar approvals earlier this year, and guidelines already in existence in the European Union, this activity has taken a leap forward as companies jostle for position to capture parts of what is expected to be lucrative, multi-billion dollar annuities for years to come. According to a Frost & Sullivan report, the European biosimilars market is forecast to grow to $3.99 billion in 2017 from $172 million in 2010. That is equivalent to compound growth of 56.7% a year. The expiration of patents for blockbuster biologics is expected to drive the growth.   Viropro International, Inc., a 100% subsidiary of Viropro, Inc., will house Viropro, Inc.’s biosimilar technologies and associated technical developments for the purpose of commercialization through external partnerships. The starting line-up and portfolio consists of sophisticated biosimilar molecules such as Ranibizumab (biosimilar of Lucentis), Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Rituximab (Rituxan/Mabthera), Bevacizumab (Avastin), Infliximab (Remicade) and Etanercept (Enbrel).  It is from this portfolio that Viropro signed a Letter of Agreement with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Rituximab, and is in active discussions with potential clients for its other biosimilar technologies.     Source: Viropro press release