Sandoz has entered a collaboration agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech that will see the two companies work together on a slew of new biosimilars. The deal is milestones-based for a total consideration of up to $322m, with near-term payments associated with the initial assets that could reach up to $100.5m. Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on up to 10 biosimilars, with an initial group of assets already agreed.
Henlius will develop and manufacture the assets, with Sandoz then taking on commercialisation rights across the world, bar China. The wide-arching agreement marks a continuation of work between the two companies that first started in April last year in an oncology-centric deal. The new batch includes a biosimilar to Erbitux (cetuximab), Eli Lilly and Merck KGaA's antibody for colorectal cancer and forms of squamous cell carcinoma.
The drug's global sales grew 6.6% to reach $1.7bn in 2025. While its core patents have expired for some time, no biosimilars have been marketed due to the compound's structural complexity. Sandoz and Henlius will also work on a biosimilar referencing Amgen's cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha (evolocumab) and GSK's lupus drug Benlysta (belimumab).
A recombinant human hyaluronidase that can be used while developing a subcutaneously administered biosimilar to increase the dispersion and absorption of other injected medicines is in technical development. Sandoz CEO, Richard Saynor, said: "Expanding access to life-enhancing medicines for patients around the world lies at the heart of everything we do. By strengthening our collaboration with Henlius through this strategic agreement, one of our largest ever in biosimilars, we are not only underlining our commitment to patients but also taking another step towards capturing a significant share of the unprecedented biosimilar market opportunity that lies ahead." In a research note, Jefferies analysts called the Henlius link-up "one of the largest biosimilar partnering agreements in Sandoz's history", with the analysts adding that they "expect further in-licensing activity [at the company] to fill an upcoming industry pipeline void".
Sandoz, generally recognised as the world's largest biosimilar and generics company, already had a widespread pipeline. The Henlius collaboration only adds to that, with the Swiss company's biosimilar pipeline now standing at 39 assets, and the potential to increase to up to 46. The pair-up comes at a time of significant opportunity in the prescription drug industry as the sector approaches one of the largest ongoing patent cliffs in its history.
A 2025 report by GlobalData projected that the share of global drug sales under patent protection will be only 4% in 2030, compared to 12% in 2022. GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology. While big pharma companies are contending with revenue voids, Sandoz could be set for a period of high growth.
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