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Deals Of The Week Wonders: What Does Merck’s Latest Biosimilar Move Really Mean?

 
• By Jessica Merrill, Sten Stovall, Lisa LaMotta, Michael Goodman, and Stacy Lawrence

Plus a look at Roche/Chiasma, Chiesi/Cornerstone, Eisai/Valeant and more

Ever since Merck & Co. jumped into the biosimilar field in 2008 with a ferocious go get ’em attitude more fitting of a National Football League tackle than a big pharma, we’ve been following their progress – and then lack of progress – closely. Back when most pharmaceutical manufacturers were still griping about defending their biologic brands, Merck’s early aggressive ambitions made an interesting case study in how a big pharma might strike offensively by positioning itself as a contender in the biosimilar space.

So the company’s announcement Feb. 20 that it has partnered with Korea’s Samsung BioepsisCo. Ltd. to develop multiple undisclosed biosimilar candidates, while delivered quietly in a concise statement, seems a...

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More from South Korea

DIA Korea: Medical Turmoil, Global Factors Blunt Korea’s Trial Edge

 
• By Jung Won Shin

DIA Korea hears how multiple domestic and global factors are affecting the environment for clinical trials in South Korea, and what actions may be taken to address this.

US Tariff Impact On Korea Dissected As Country Gears For Presidential Election

 
• By Jung Won Shin

Analysts expect a limited impact on South Korean pharma from US tariffs, even if imposed at a later date. Meanwhile, the early June domestic presidential election is set to determine the direction of policies in the sector.

Korea To Revise ‘Innovative Company’ Criteria Amid Calls From Foreign Industry

 
• By Jung Won Shin

South Korea announces planned revisions to a government scheme to designate "innovative" biopharma companies amid allegations of "discrimination" against foreign firms.

Korea ‘Guide’ Program To Speed Select Innovative Products To Market

 
• By Jung Won Shin

In an ongoing effort to accelerate the commercialization of select innovative drugs and medical devices, Korea’s MFDS is launching a new program for certain products that will receive regular regulatory consultations until they reach the approval stage.

More from Asia

Japan Looks To Build Domestic Capacity In New Modalities

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan's trade ministry is providing new support to build domestic capacity for new modalities including cell and gene therapies, as part of wider efforts to support the national bioventure ecosystem.

Pipeline To Product – What Is Driving Cell And Gene Therapy Progress In India?

 
• By Vibha Ravi

US-based Colossal Labs has claimed to bring back the dire wolf from extinction. While the science is not as dramatic in India yet, cell and gene therapies are making progress as treatments for cancer and other diseases. Pink Sheet takes a look at what is driving CGT success and growth.

Japan Identifies Drugs ‘In Urgent Need’ Of Development

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Artesunate for malaria, TB drug pretomanid and omadacycline for pneumonia and skin infections are among the drugs identified by Japanese regulatory authorities in urgent need of domestic development.