BMS, Simcere Pharma To Co-Develop Orencia® SC In China

BMS and Simcere will co-develop and co-commercialize the subcutaneous formulation of Orencia® for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in China.

AsianScientist (Jun. 17, 2013) – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Simcere Pharmaceutical Group announced this week a new collaboration to co-develop and commercialize the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of BMS’s Orencia® (abatacept) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in China.

Orencia SC is already on the market for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Simcere will perform and fund all development and regulatory activities required to obtain market approval for Orencia SC in China, based on a pre-agreed development plan. The companies will share responsibility for commercializing Orencia, and will share profits and losses related to Orencia SC in China. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Orencia SC is the third program in our R&D collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb, underscoring our joint commitment to our broad strategic partnership,” said Mr. Hongquan Liu, the CEO of Simcere. “Combining Orencia SC with our existing portfolio in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, we are committed to delivering more innovative and effective medicines to Chinese patients.”

“If successful, not only could Orencia SC bring a new option to Chinese patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, but also it could become Bristol-Myers Squibb’s first biologic medicine for the Chinese market,” said Beatrice Cazala, executive vice president, Commercial Operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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Source: BMS.
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