Momenta, Mylan join in development of 6 biosimilars, including abatacept

Momenta Pharmaceuticals and Mylan announced a collaboration to develop, manufacture and commercialize six of Momenta’s current biosimilar medications created by Momenta, including a biosimilar to abatacept for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a press release.

“This exciting collaboration with Momenta is focused on the next wave of biosimilar products and represents an important next step for Mylan in this area of significant future growth, leveraging Momenta's unique technology capabilities and Mylan's strong science, biosimilar development experience, operational excellence and expansive global commercial footprint,” Mylan CEO, Heather Bresch, said in a press release. “Through this collaboration, as well as other partnerships and the strong internal capabilities we have cultivated, Mylan is further expanding what is already one of the industry's most robust and diverse biosimilar portfolios and helping to ensure we can deliver enhanced access to these critical products to patients around the world.”

Under the agreement, Mylan makes an initial cash payment of $45 million and up to $200 million in contingent milestone payments. Both companies will equally share costs and profits. Mylan is entitled to commercialize any products under the agreement, with an option for Momenta to co-commercialize in a supporting role with any products approved in the United States.

According to the company website, Momenta has only disclosed abatacept (Orencia, Bristol-Myers Squibb), known as M834, of its six current biosimilars. In December 2015, Momenta announced a partnership with Baxalta to develop its biosimilar to adalimumab (Humira, AbbVie), designated M923.

Reference: http://ir.momentapharma.com.