Apotex and Intas to Develop Biosimilar of Pegfilgrastim

Apotex, Inc. (Toronto, Canada) and Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL, Ahmendabad, India) have extended their business agreement to develop a biosimilar version of pegfilgrastim, a protein that is used to treat neutropenia (a side effect of cancer chemotherapy). Neupeg, a recombinant pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (Peg GCSF), is already manufactured and marketed in India and other countries by IBPL.

This collaboration gives Apotex the rights to market the product in North America (US and Canada), Europe, and selected other countries. After announcing the launch of first GSCF generic for North America in May 2008, the collaboration extension between the two companies makes IBPL the first Indian biopharmaceutical company to announce the launch of Peg GCSF for North America and European markets.