With Biogen’s decision to exit the US biosimilar market, Samsung Bioepis had to find a new marketing partner for its biosimilar ophthalmology portfolio. On July 17th, the company announced that its search for a replacement was over: It had entered a new license, development, and commercialization agreement with Harrow.
Harrow will assume marketing responsibilities for Samsung’s Byooviz (ranibizumab) and Opuviz (aflibercept) in the United States by the end of 2025. Harrow is a Nashville-based eyecare company that has 16 brands, including ophthalmic suspensions, gels, and solutions. Founded in 2011, it bolstered its portfolio through drug acquisitions primarily.
This is an interesting partnership, because of Harrow’s existing relationships with ophthalmologists and retina specialists. Biosimilar manufacturers have mostly signed on with commercialization and marketing partners based on their relationships with payers rather than with physicians. However, the ranibizumab and aflibercept categories are almost all obtained and reimbursed through the physician-based buy-and-bill system. Therefore, this agreement may represent a new approach.
As reported earlier, Biogen had turned its attention away from the biosimilar category, starting when it sold its initial stake in Samsung Bioepis in 2022. In October 2024, the company notified Samsung Bioepis that it would be yielding its commercial rights to these two biosimilar products in the US and Canada.
In Other Biosimilar News
In news related to Biogen, Ian Henshaw, Biogen’s former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Biosimilars, has taken a new position at STADA, as Executive Vice President, Specialty. STADA’s specialty business includes epoetin, adalimumab, and teriparatide biosimilars marketed outside of the US.
Celltrion stated in an Email to BR&R that its newly marketed Stoboclo and Osenvelt denosumab biosimilars will be available at a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $1,781.66 and $3,277.25, respectively; these are 5% discounts to the reference products Prolia and Xgeva. These products launched on July 8, joining Fresenius Kabi and Sandoz on the denosumab biosimilar market.
(Editor’s Note: Pricing data supplied by Celltrion above were updated on July 21.)
