Singapore: Mr David Song, president and CEO, Biocnd, signed an agreement with Dr Joe Zhou, CEO, Genor Biopharma, for the co-development of two monoclonal antibody biosimilars, including GB232 and GB221, in Shanghai on May 21.

Biocnd and Genor Biopharma are planning to apply the IND for phase I clinical study of GB232 at the end of 2013 and launch it as the first biosimilar of Humira in the emerging market. As for GB221, phase I clinical study was successfully completed in Australia in 2012 and phase III IND application will be submitted in 2014.

Biocnd's GB232 marketing territory includes Russia, Japan, South Asia, South East Asia, North East Asia except Greater China for indications including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn's disease. GB221 (Herceptin biosimilar) marketing territory includes worldwide except Greater China, Japan, the US, and Europe for indications including breast and gastric cancers.

Mr Song, while expressing the importance of the agreement, said that, "Biocnd obtained an exclusive right of GB232 (Humira biosimilar), a fully human therapeutic monoclonal antibody, for the first time in Korea. The partnership formed between BIOCND and Genor Biopharma will definitely create a positive synergistic effect as the result of realization of successful commercialization in the global pharmaceutical markets."

Dr Zhou commented that, "GB232 and GB221 are two leading biosimilar products in Genor's rich pipeline. We are pleased to sign this win-win partnership with BIOCND, which has a highly experienced expert team in international development and commercialization of biosimilar products."