Viropro, Inc. (VPRO)

[Avoid]

2011: The Year of the Biosimilar

"Monoclonal antibodies are considered an important and value-added part of the biosimilars pie, and a biosimilar rituximab is a likely first entry into this segment. The patents for rituxumab are expected to expire between 2015 and 2018 in the United States and in 2013 in the rest of the world, according to Biogen Idec’s 2009 annual report. Global sales of MabThera/Rituxan were CHF $6.1 billion ($6.1 billion) in 2009, according to Roche’s 2009 annual report. In addition to Sandoz, Teva Pharmaceuticals is developing a biosimilar version of rituxmab, according to a recent company investor presentation, and Mumbai-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has developed a generic version for the Indian market, according to the company’s 2009 annual report. Smaller companies are also getting involved in the fray. The biopharmaceutical company Spectrum Pharmaceuticals announced on Jan. 5, 2011, that it signed a letter of agreement with Viropro, a company that develops cell lines and manufacturing processes for biosimilars, for the development and clinical production of a biosimilar rituxumab. Also, in a Bloomberg/Business Week article this week, Biogen Idec, itself, alluded to an interest in entering into the biosimilars market over the next several years although the company did not offer further specifics."

http://blog.pharmtech.com/2011/01/13/2011-the-year-of-the-biosimilar/