Shire returns rights to Momenta, Coherus biosimilars

Shire plc (LSE:SHP; NASDAQ:SHPG) ended deals with Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTA) and Coherus BioSciences Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRS) and returned rights to biosimilar candidates. Shire had gained rights to both candidates via its acquisition of Baxalta Inc. in June.

Momenta regained rights to M923, a proposed biosimilar of Humira adalimumab, which AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) markets. In December 2015, Momenta and Baxalta said M923 showed bioequivalence to Humira, meeting the primary endpoint in a head-to-head pharmacokinetic study. On Tuesday, Momenta said it expects data by YE16 from a Phase III study comparing M923 with Humira to treat chronic plaque psoriasis. ...