Sandoz, the generics subsidiary of Novartis, is collaborating with Biocon, an India-based biopharmaceuticals producer, to develop, manufacture and commercialize multiple biosimilars in immunology and oncology.

Terms of the worldwide collaboration call for both companies to share responsibility for end-to-end development, manufacturing and global regulatory approvals for a number of products and to share costs and profits globally.

Commercialization responsibilities will be divided according to geographies, with each of the companies’ strengths leveraged. Sandoz will lead commercialization in North America and Europe, while Biocon will have responsibility for the rest of the world.

The Swiss generics maker currently markets five biosimilars worldwide and maintains a position in both innovative and off-patent medicines.

Bangalore –based Biocon has developed a range of novel biologics, biosimilar antibodies, rh-insulin and insulin analogs, which it now markets. Launches include insulin glargine in Japan; trastuzumab and bevacizumab biosimilars in India; and rh-insulin, insulin glargine and biosimilar trastuzumab in some emerging markets. The company was the first in India to have a biosimilar approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Today's announcement bolsters our leadership position in biosimilars and positions us to continue to lead well into the future," said Sandoz CEO Richard Francis. "Biocon is a great complement to our proven biosimilar capabilities at Sandoz. Through this collaboration, we are reinforcing our long-term commitment to increase patient access to biologics."