Biogen Idec, the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company, and UCB have signed exclusive agreements granting UCB the right to commercialize Biogen Idec products in South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, and both develop and commercialize products in China.

As part of the relationship, Biogen Idec will supply UCB with its portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies and investigational candidates, including Tecfidera, Fampyra, Avonex, Tysabri, Plegridy and Daclizumab High-Yield Process (DAC HYP). The relationship also includes Eloctate and Alprolix, Biogen Idec’s investigational long-acting recombinant candidates for haemophilia A and B, respectively.

“Our goal is to bring our innovative therapies to patients around the world as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Carlos Dourado, senior vice president, Emerging Markets at Biogen Idec. “By leveraging UCB’s extensive resources, expertise and infrastructure in Asia, we believe we can grow our footprint in critical Asian markets, get our therapies to patients more quickly and create a foundation for further commercial success in this region.”

“As a patient centric biopharmaceutical company, UCB is delighted to work with Biogen Idec on delivering some of the most important breakthrough products in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and haemophilia to patients in Asia,” said Mohamed Chaoui, head of Asia Pacific at UCB. “This partnership is a strong complement in our goal to offer innovative specialty care therapeutic options to patients suffering from severe diseases. It further supports our strategic goal to strengthen our leadership and expertise in biologics in both neurology and immunology in China and the Asian region.”

Chaoui further added, “We are committed to strengthening our presence in Asia and offering patients and healthcare providers in the Asian region access to new and innovative treatment options. This agreement is also an important step for our specialty focused expansion in China. It will help drive our business growth in key emerging markets, which is one of UCB’s top strategic priorities.”

Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, haemophilia and autoimmune disorders.