Alvotech And Dr. Reddy’s Announce Global Partnership On Developing Keytruda® Biosimilar

Alvotech and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories have entered into a strategic collaboration and license agreement to co-develop, manufacture, and commercialize a biosimilar version of Keytruda® (pembrolizumab), one of the world’s top-selling cancer immunotherapies. This alliance combines the strengths of Alvotech’s biosimilar development platform with Dr. Reddy’s global commercial presence and manufacturing capabilities.

“We are very pleased to enter into this collaboration for pembrolizumab with Dr. Reddy’s. This agreement demonstrates Alvotech’s ability to leverage its dedicated R&D and manufacturing platform for biosimilars, accelerating the expansion of our pipeline by pursuing growing global markets. It further enables us to increase the availability of cost-effective, critical biologic medications to patients worldwide,” said Róbert Wessman, chairman and CEO of Alvotech.

Keytruda® is a checkpoint inhibitor used in the treatment of multiple cancer types, including lung cancer, melanoma, and head and neck cancers. In 2024 alone, the drug generated US$29.5 billion in global sales, making it one of the most lucrative biosimilar targets in oncology. With this agreement, both companies aim to speed up development timelines and expand patient access to a more affordable alternative worldwide.

“We are happy to collaborate with Alvotech for the pembrolizumab biosimilar. This demonstrates our ability to develop and manufacture high-quality and affordable treatment options for patients worldwide. Additionally, oncology has been a top focus therapy area for us, and this collaboration will further enhance our capabilities in oncology, as pembrolizumab currently represents one of the most critical therapies in immuno-oncology,” said Erez Israeli, CEO of Dr. Reddy’s.

Under the agreement, Alvotech and Dr. Reddy’s will co-develop and co-manufacture the biosimilar, sharing associated costs and responsibilities. While both companies will havethe  right to commercialize the product globally, certain exceptions may apply. The collaboration is expected to significantly strengthen companies’ oncology pipelines and foothold in the high-growth biosimilars market.