Hikma And Celltrion Healthcare Ink Exclusive Licensing Agreement For Ustekinumab For The MENA Region

By Ron Chen, Bureau Chief, Asia

The multinational pharmaceutical company, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, has announced a new exclusive licensing agreements with Celltrion Healthcare Co.,Ltd.forCT-P43 (ustekinumab). CT-P43 isa monoclonal antibody that is a proposed biosimilar to Janssen’s Stelara®.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma will have exclusive rights to commercialise CT-P43 in all of its MENA markets and Celltrion Healthcare will develop, manufacture and supply CT-P43 to Hikma.CT-P43 is an important drug used in the treatment of autoimmune disesases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and the agreement will help equip doctors and patients with more treatment options across the region. This agreement also builds on CelltrionHealthcare and Hikma’s existing partnership in MENA, adding another immunology biosimilar to Hikma’s portfolio, a key focus of its strategy.

“We are excited to add CT-P43 to our portfolio, strengthening our offering of biosimilar and innovative biologic products.” Said Hikma’s Executive Vice Chairman and President of MENA, Mazen Darwazah. “CT-P43 is the sixth immunology biologic we add to our portfolio in MENA. This new addition enables us to increase patients’ access to important specialty products, helping them in their treatment journey for these difficult diseases.”