8 July 2014Asia

NeuClone and Serum Institute collaborate on biosimilars

Australian biotechnology company NeuClone has signed an agreement with vaccine maker the Serum Institute of India to manufacture and supply ten biosimilar monoclonal antibody drugs around the world.

The products they provide will treat diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Under the agreement, NeuClone will use its patented NeuMAX cell line technology to generate the products, while the Serum Institute, the world’s largest producer of measles and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines, will leverage its large-scale manufacturing capabilities.

“After several years of technology development and building our team expertise, NeuClone is very pleased to launch this multi-product co-development programme with Serum Institute,” said Noelle Sunstrom, NeuClone’s founder and chief executive.

The parties have split the partnering and licence opportunities. NeuClone will retain a licence to the jointly developed biosimilars, and is looking for partners to market the products in North America, Europe and South East Asia.

The Serum Institute holds an exclusive licence for marketing and selling the products to the rest of the world, via its existing marketing and distribution network that covers 140 countries.

A C Poonawalla, the Serum Institute’s chief executive, said that the company plans to develop biosimilar monoclonal antibodies at an “extremely affordable cost” through the collaboration.