Samsung's rituximab biosimilar trial halted in two countries
Samsung Group (Seoul, South Korea) has "temporarily halted" a clinical trial of its biosimilar version of autoimmune and cancer drug MabThera rituximab in two countries, according to the EU clinical trials register. The trial's listing states that it was halted in the Czech Republic and Spain, but is continuing in the U.K., Hungary and Poland. The trial is evaluating the product in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Last year, Samsung announced a JV with Quintiles Transnational Corp. (Research Triangle Park, N.C.) to form contract manufacturer Samsung Biologics. Quintiles declined to comment. Samsung could not be reached in time for publication. In 2010, Samsung announced its intention to invest W2.1 trillion ($2 billion) in developing biosimilars over 10 years, with the expectation of W1.8 trillion in annual revenues by 2020. ...