BioCentury
ARTICLE | Strategy

Biogen's biosimilars shot

Biogen Idec's biosimilars deal based on Samsung track record in joint ventures

December 19, 2011 8:00 AM UTC

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...