Alvotech And Advanz Pharma Expand Biosimilar Collaboration To Include Ilaris and Kesimpta Candidates

Alvotech, a global biotech firm specializing in biosimilars, and Advanz Pharma, a European specialty pharma company, have announced an expansion of their commercial partnership to include three new biosimilar candidates. The agreement strengthens their strategic collaboration for the supply and commercialization of biosimilars across Europe.

"We are very pleased to expand our partnership with Advanz Pharma. We have now agreed to launch proposed biosimilars to more than ten reference products in Europe, starting in 2025 and reaching beyond 2030. This new agreement demonstrates the business development potential and value of Alvotech’s growing biosimilars pipeline, that is unrivalled by any other biosimilars developer,” said Róbert Wessman, chairman and CEO of Alvotech.

The new deal includes biosimilar candidates to Ilaris® (canakinumab) and Kesimpta® (ofatumumab), used for treating inflammatory diseases and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, respectively. A third biosimilar target remains undisclosed. Under the agreement, Alvotech will handle development and manufacturing, while Advanz Pharma will oversee regulatory approvals and commercialization across Europe. The deal includes up to $180 million in milestones and a revenue-sharing arrangement.

“By adding canakinumab, ofatumumab and another early-stage program to our strategic partnership with Alvotech, Advanz Pharma now holds European commercial rights to proposed biosimilars referencing more than ten originator biologics. Importantly, two of these three new candidates address rare-disease indications, reinforcing our commitment to broaden access to rare disease and specialty medicines. Biosimilars are a cornerstone of our growth strategy and this expanded collaboration positions us to deliver sustainable value for patients and healthcare systems alike,” said Steffen Wagner, CEO, Advanz Pharma.

This builds on the duo’s 2023 agreements covering biosimilars to Xolair®, Simponi®, Entyvio®, Eylea®, Dupixent®, Taltz®, and Tremfya®. Their collaboration spans all EEA countries, the UK, and Switzerland, with additional territories for some products. According to IQVIA, the biosimilar market addressed by this partnership is now valued at over $13.8 billion, highlighting the growing significance of biosimilars in the European healthcare landscape.