Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has signed a long-term agreement with Samsung BioLogics that will see the Korean firm manufacture one of its antibody cancer drugs.
Technology transfer and trial production of the candidate will begin almost immediately under a 10-year contract, with commercial production to follow as soon as the drug is approved.
Louis Schmukler, president of global manufacturing and supply at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: “Our agreement with Samsung is an important part of our company’s overall manufacturing and supply strategy focused on creating long-term relationships with high quality manufacturing partners around the world.
“This agreement increases our biologic manufacturing capacity to help ensure sufficient long-term supply of our commercial products.”
Earlier this year BMS outlined its plans for a major expansion of a US plant for its rheumatoid arthritis biologic Orencia (abatacept), which was launched in Europe in 2010, but will now outsource additional capacity for part of its oncology biologic pipeline.
This includes the fully humanised monoclonal antibody elotuzumab that BMS is developing with AbbVie, phase III results for which are due next year.
Nivolumab is also in development and phase III results of the potential first-in-class anti-PD-1 melanoma candidate were presented at this year’s ASCO meeting. The drug has been predicted peak year sales of $1.2bn.
Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal, under which Samsung will manufacture the drug as its recently completed plant in Songdo Incheon, South Korea.
Tae-Han Kim, president and CEO of Samsung BioLogics, said: “We are pleased to announce this strategic manufacturing relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb and look forward to delivering best-in-class manufacturing services with the highest global quality standards.
“The relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb represents the validation of our long-term commitment to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry.”
It’s the second major pharma agreement for Samsung this year, after its joint venture with Biogen, Samsung Bioepis, agreed a deal in February to develop and commercialise biosimilars for Merck & Co.