Teva Expands Collaboration with mAbxience to Develop Biosimilar Oncology Drugs

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with ambiance, focusing on developing biosimilar drugs—generic versions of biological medications created through the genetic engineering of mammalian cells or bacteria. This new agreement specifically targets a biosimilar version of an oncology drug from the PD-1 control protein blocker group.

PD-1 blockers are crucial in cancer treatment as they work by inhibiting the PD-1 protein found on T cells, which, when bound to the PD-L1 protein on cancer cells, can disrupt immune responses against tumors. Well-known drugs in this category include Keytruda and Opdivo.

Roles and Responsibilities in the Agreement

Under the terms of the agreement, mAbxience, a subsidiary of Fresenius, will handle the development and production of the biosimilar drugs at its facilities in Spain and Argentina. Teva will oversee the regulatory approval processes with pharmaceutical authorities in the U.S. and Europe, as well as lead commercialization efforts.

This agreement follows a similar collaboration established six months ago for the development and marketing of biosimilars targeting several cancer diseases.

Recent Developments in Teva's Portfolio

In addition to this new partnership, Teva recently announced it has received marketing approval for the first hourly generic version of Sandostatin LAR, a medication used to treat acromegaly and severe diarrhea associated with metastatic cancer. Sandostatin LAR, originally developed by Novartis, generated sales of $826 million in the year ending July 2024.

While Teva will not have exclusivity for six months in the marketing of its generic version, the company anticipates being the only generic option on the market for a certain period.

This expanded collaboration with mAbxience positions Teva to enhance its portfolio in the biosimilar market, particularly in the oncology sector, as it continues to address unmet medical needs.