Samsung Biologics expands partnership with AstraZeneca

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Samsung Biologics expands partnership with AstraZeneca

Evusheld, AstraZeneca's antibody treatment for Covid-19. [AP/YONHAP]

Evusheld, AstraZeneca's antibody treatment for Covid-19. [AP/YONHAP]

 
Samsung Biologics will manufacture an AstraZeneca cancer treatment under a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) deal, strengthening its strategic partnership with the British pharmaceutical firm.
 
In September 2020, Samsung Biologics signed a three-year biopharmaceutical supply deal with AstraZeneca to manufacture products, including Evusheld, its Covid-19 treatment. The two companies agreed to add one more drug to the deal, Imfinzi, an immunotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
 
The size of the deal, which was $330.8 million, has been expanded to $380 million.
 
Samsung will make Evusheld first and start manufacturing Imfinzi starting next year.
 
Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting monoclonal antibodies — tixagevimab and cilgavimab — being developed by AstraZeneca as drug to treat Covid-19, as well as a prophylaxis for people who can't get vaccinated because they have underlying diseases or a weakened immune system. It became the first antibody therapy for pre-exposure prevention of Covid-19 to receive emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
 
The drug also earned approvals from France, Italy and Bahrain.
 
Imfinzi was approved in various countries including Korea.
 
“We are delighted to continue expanding our strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca, a valuable partner we have witnessed first-hand to have a strong commitment to saving lives of patients,” Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim said in Tuesday’s statement. 
 
"We will support our clients by bringing innovative solutions to an array of diseases, especially during this time when it is needed the most, and together find ways to expedite the delivery of crucial therapies to the market."
 
On Monday, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety granted formal marketing approval for Moderna vaccines that were bottled and packaged by Samsung Biologics. The two companies signed the fill-and-finish deal in May.  
 
Samsung Biologics shares rose 2.06 percent to 890,000 won ($753) Tuesday.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
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