Simcere, Bristol-Myers deal

Bristol-Myers and Simcere expanded a 2010 deal to include the development and commercialization of subcutaneous Orencia abatacept in China to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Simcere will be responsible for conducting and funding development and regulatory activities required for approval in China, and the two parties will share responsibilities for commercializing Orencia in China. The parties said they would share profits and losses and that financial terms are not disclosed. Bristol-Myers' Orencia, a CTLA-4-Ig fusion protein, is approved as an IV formulation in the EU and the U.S. to treat moderate to severe RA in combination with methotrexate in adults and moderate to severe active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Subcutaneous Orencia is also approved in the U.S. and EU for RA. ...