Bausch + Lomb has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with its development partner STADA Arzneimittel AG and its development partner Xbrane Biopharma AB to develop and commercialize a biosimilar candidate to Lucentis (ranibizumab) in the United States and Canada. The companies aim to obtain all currently approved indications for Lucentis in both the United States and Canada. Lucentis is a monoclonal antibody for inhibiting VEGFa and is approved to treat wet type age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
European generics, biosimilars and consumer healthcare leader STADA and Xbrane will be jointly responsible for finalizing the development of the biosimilar, currently known as Xlucane. Xbrane will also provide commercial supply. Bausch + Lomb will be responsible for the sales, marketing and all other commercialization efforts for the biosimilar candidate in the United States and Canada following regulatory approval.
“I am convinced that Bausch + Lomb is the right partner for us to commercialize Xlucane in the United States and Canada. Bausch + Lomb has a very strong brand recognition and reputation amongst ophthalmologists and an existing sales infrastructure to leverage. We are excited to finalize the final steps towards marketing approval and together with our partners, bring the product to patients with severe eye diseases in dire need for cost efficient VEGFa inhibitors in the United States and Canada,” said Martin Åmark, CEO of Xbrane Biopharma.
Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Bausch + Lomb will make a mid-single digit million USD up-front payment and will pay further milestone payments subject to approval and launch of the product in the United States. STADA and Xbrane will also be entitled to a share of gross profits from sales of the product by Bausch + Lomb, and will share equally in the proceeds they receive from Bausch + Lomb.
Full press release: https://www.bausch.com/our-company/recent-news/artmid/11336/articleid/644/05062020-wednesday