NeuClone signs biosimilar deal with Serum Institute

Sydney-based biotech NeuClone has signed a major licensing agreement and joint development partnership with The Serum Institute of India covering the manufacturing of 10 biosimilar drugs.

Under the agreement, NeuClone will use its NeuMAX cell line development platform to manufacture and supply 10 biosimilar monoclonal antibody drugs. The Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine producer, will provide its biologics manufacturing capability.

The drugs will have targets including cancer and autoimmune disorders, and each will address markets worth hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, the companies said.

As part of the partnership, NeuClone will retain the licence to the biosimilars for the markets of the US, Europe, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The company said it will seek partnerships with large pharmaceutical and generics companies in these markets.

The Serum Institute will meanwhile receive an exclusive worldwide licence for marketing and sales of the drug in the rest of the world.

The institute plans to use the collaboration to deliver biosimilar versions of expensive drugs to markets of patients that have been unable to afford the real thing.

The partners plan to develop multiple biosimilars simultaneously and eventually take all 10 products through clinical trials and onto the market.