Biogen's biosimilars shot

Six months after telling investors it intended to strike a biosimilars deal that wouldn't distract it from its core business, Biogen Idec Inc. announced a JV with Samsung Group that will tap into the biotech's manufacturing prowess immediately with the option to become more involved later.

Samsung is a newcomer to biotherapeutics, but Biogen Idec liked the Korean conglomerate's determination to enter biosimilars, the resources it has committed to the effort and its track record of entering new businesses...