Alvotech and Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical, which is the China joint venture company of Alvotech hf. and Changchun High & New Technology Industries (Group) Inc., have partnered with Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group to form an exclusive strategic partnership for the commercialization of eight biosimilar medicines in China.
The initial pipeline contains biosimilar candidates for treatment in the fields of autoimmunity, ophthalmology, and oncology, as well for treating severe immune and inflammatory conditions.
“As our progression continues, we are excited to announce this new partnership with Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in China. Through this commercial relationship, Alvotech and Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd are gaining an extremely valuable access to Yangtze River Pharmaceutical’s strong brand reputation and market experience in China. This will give patients in China better access to high quality biosimilar medicines and creates a powerhouse in the introduction and adoption of biosimilars in the region,” says Robert Wessman, Founder and Chairman of Alvotech.
An attempt on international collaboration of biosimilar medicines
Under this distribution and marketing agreement, Alvotech and Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd will be jointly responsible for the development, registration, and supply of their biosimilars in China, while Yangtze River Pharmaceutical will exclusively commercialize the biosimilar candidates. China is the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market, and this new collaboration follows Alvotech’s recent global partnerships including: Teva Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. market, Stada for key European markets and several others.
“The commercial partnership with Alvotech and Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is an attempt on international collaboration of biosimilar medicines. Develop, Manufacture and introduce high quality biosimilars is also Yangtze River’s vision. We aim to make full use of our brand advantage and market experience to deliver the biosimilars with extensive clinical needs to the broad China market. This will help us fulfil our purpose of “Committed for the better and Dedicated to caring for all. Alvotech and Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.’s leading innovative capability and technology allow us to have confidence to provide Chinese patients with safe, effective and affordable biosimilar medicines which improves the lives of patients. We sincerely hope that this partnership will be constructive, complementary and have positive outcomes for all involved,” says Xu Jingren, Founder and Chairman of Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group.
A new biopharmaceutical facility, currently being built in Changchun
The manufacturing of these biosimilar candidates for the Chinese market will be made in a new biopharmaceutical facility, currently being built in Changchun, China through the Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd partnership1. The manufacturing site will include the latest best in class technology, including disposable single use bioreactors. The first Phase of the facility is expected to be completed in 2021.
“Innovation and sharing are the core value of CCHT, establishing Changchun Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd with Alvotech is aiming to build a global standard antibody drug producing and manufacturing platform. The cooperation with Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group is strategic, constructive, and complementary; both parties could give full play to their advantages in exploring China’s biosimilar drug market, so as to improve the availability and accessibility of the drugs and ameliorate people’s life. We will further discuss cooperation with YZR on more levels in the future,” says Ma Ji, Chairman of CCHT, and Chairman of Alvotech & CCHT Biopharmaceutical.
Photo of Robert Wessman, Founder, Alvotech
