South Korea's Boryung Corporation has signed an asset purchase agreement with the global biopharma company Sanofi to acquire the cytotoxic anti-cancer drug Taxotere (docetaxel) across global territories, including domestic and international rights related to marketing, distribution, regulatory approvals, manufacturing, and trademarks.
The proposed purchase price is up to approximately 175 million euros (equivalent to around 287.8 billion KRW), inclusive of potential milestone payments worth 14 million euros.
Under the terms of the agreement, and subject to the obtaining of all regulatory approvals, Boryung will take over the entire Taxotere business in 19 countries, including Korea, Germany, Spain, and China as well as countries in South America and the Middle East.
Following the completion of regulatory procedures, Boryung will manufacture Taxotere at its Yesan Campus and will directly manage the distribution and sales of this originator drug in the global market. Completion of this strategic acquisition would position Boryung to emerge as a global pharmaceutical company with a strong portfolio of legacy cytotoxic anti-cancer drug.
Docetaxel is listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, and Taxotere is the original product. First approved by the U.S. FDA in 1995, Taxotere is a landmark cytotoxic agent widely used in the treatment of various solid tumours, including breast, prostate, gastric, and head and neck cancers.
This agreement represents a strategic expansion of the experience Boryung has cultivated through the Gemzar and Alimta deals. By adding Taxotere to its cytotoxic anti-cancer drug portfolio, Boryung would establish a foothold to expand its role in the global market, based on its capabilities in producing and directly distributing originator cancer drugs.
Domestically, the company plans to enhance profitability by leveraging its well-established sales and marketing expertise in oncology treatment. Globally, it will seek to expand its presence through strategic collaborations with key partners.
