UCB will sell Biogen Idec’s portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) and haemophilia treatments in several Asian countries as part of a new agreement between the companies.
The deal allows UCB to commercialise the medicines in South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, while both partners will develop and commercial products in China.
Drugs included as part of the deal include the huge-selling Tysabri (natalizumab), which Biogen Idec gained full rights to last year after buying out partners Elan.
Tecfidera, which is Biogen Idec’s entry into the new market for oral MS drugs, is also included in the deal and is well on its way to blockbuster status after being approved in the US at the beginning of 2013.
Outside MS, Biogen Idec’s two haemophilia treatments – Eloctate and Alprolix – can also be commercialised by UCB in the specified Asian markets.
Biogen Idec’s senior VP, emerging markets, Carlos Dourado said: “Our goal is to bring our innovative therapies to patients around the world as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“By leveraging UCB’s extensive resources, expertise and infrastructure in Asia, we believe we can grow our footprint in critical Asian markets, get our therapies to patients more quickly and create a foundation for further commercial success in this region.”
US-based Biogen Idec’s previosu experience in the Asian market includes a biosimialrs joint venture with Korea’s Samsung Biologics known as Samsung Bioepis.