Sandoz And Henlius Partner On Global Commercialisation Of Ipilimumab Biosimilar

Sandoz is a world leader in biosimilar and generic drugs. The firm has signed a global commercialisation agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech to bring a biosimilar of the cancer immunotherapy drug ipilimumab to major markets including the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia. The deal is valued at up to $301 million, including a $31 million upfront payment, and targets a reference-medicine market worth approximately $2.5 billion.

Richard Saynor, CEO of Sandoz, said, “The global burden of cancer continues to grow, and the potential to address unmet patient needs has never been greater. This agreement offers us the chance to reach millions more patients, while helping to drive the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems.”

The biosimilar, currently in a Phase I/III trial in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, is being developed by Henlius. Sandoz, meanwhile, is also advancing a biosimilar version of nivolumab, another blockbuster oncology drug, in a separate clinical program focused on advanced melanoma. Ipilimumab and nivolumab are widely used to treat several types of cancers, often in combination.

This partnership strengthens Sandoz’s leadership in the global biosimilars market, supporting its goal of becoming the top provider in the US. The company’s current biosimilar oncology portfolio includes Rixathon®, Zarzio®, Ziextenzo®, and Binocrit®, with new launches expected in 2025, including Wyost®/Jubbonti® (denosumab) in both the US and Europe.