Samsung Bioepis Signs Agreement with Harrow in the U.S. for Ophthalmic Biosimilar Sales

[Financial News] Samsung Bioepis announced on the 18th that it signed a partnership agreement with Harrow in the U.S. on the 17th (local time) for the sale of ophthalmic disease treatments in the U.S.
This agreement is for the commercialization of two ophthalmic biosimilars developed by Samsung Bioepis in the U.S.
The products covered by the agreement are △ the Lucentis biosimilar 'Byooviz' (ingredient name Ranibizumab) and △ the Eylea biosimilar 'Ophuviz' (ingredient name Aflibercept).

Currently, the U.S. rights for both products are held by Biogen, and they are expected to be transferred to Samsung Bioepis by the end of this year.
Biogen will continue to handle product sales until the rights transfer, after which Harrow will take over exclusive sales in the U.S. market.
Biogen announced its intention to terminate the North American sales agreement with Samsung Bioepis in October last year. Accordingly, the two companies have been proceeding with the rights transfer process in the region sequentially.
Byooviz was the first Lucentis biosimilar approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2021 and is prescribed for conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion.
It has been distributed in the U.S. market since June 2022.
Ophuviz, approved by the FDA in May last year, is an Eylea biosimilar with indications for diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration.
Lee Sang-hyun, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Samsung Bioepis, stated, "We will closely collaborate with Harrow, which has strong sales capabilities in the North American ophthalmic disease market, to ensure a smooth market entry after the rights transfer," and added, "We will continue to strive to enhance access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals in the global market."


vrdw88@fnnews.com Kang Joong-mo Reporter