EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company focussed on the global development and commercialisation of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies, has signed a royalty-bearing, multi-product collaboration agreement with Livzon Mabpharm Inc. (Livzon), a Chinese biotechnology company focussed on the development, manufacture, and sale of antibody-based drugs. Livzon was also a principal investor in the $36 million private financing round EPIRUS closed in April 2014, prior to becoming a public company.
Under the terms of the agreement, EPIRUS and Livzon will work together to develop, manufacture, and commercialise up to five biosimilar products. The first collaboration product is EPIRUS' Remicade biosimilar BOW015 (infliximab), which was recently approved in India. Livzon will conduct any additional development work necessary for the approval of BOW015 in China and Taiwan. Livzon will also serve as the preferred supplier of BOW015 in these territories, following a transfer of EPIRUS' SCALE manufacturing platform. Livzon will be responsible for all commercialisation activities in its territories.
"We have established a significant collaboration with a strong partner in a compelling market," said Amit Munshi, president and chief executive officer, of EPIRUS. "This agreement also reinforces the importance of our SCALE manufacturing platform for in market production globally."
Daotian Fu, Ph.D., chief executive officer, of Livzon Mabpharm, Inc., said, "EPIRUS' robust pipeline, business strategy and experienced management coupled with the market potential of biosimilars, made this an exciting collaboration for Livzon. We look forward to building a substantial biosimilars business for the China market." Dr. Fu is also a member of the EPIRUS board of directors.