BioXpress Therapeutics, AET Group deal

BioXpress and the AET BioTech biosimilars business of generics company Alfred E. Tiefenbacher partnered to co-develop a biosimilar version of autoimmune drug adalimumab, a human mAb against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. AET BioTech will provide "committed long term" funding and will be responsible for commercialization. The partners said the development strategy for the biosimilar "incorporates regulatory requirements for marketing in countries worldwide." The companies could not be reached for details.

Eisai Co. Ltd. (Tokyo:4523; Osaka:4523, Tokyo, Japan) and Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT, Abbott Park, Ill.) jointly developed adalimumab and co-promote it as Humira in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Abbott has rights to the product elsewhere. Abbott reported 2011 worldwide sales for Humira of $7.9 billion. ...