Hikma Pharmaceuticals agrees licensing deal with Celltrion

Hikma Pharmaceuticals has reached a licensing agreement with South Korea-based Celltrion for Truxima ((rituximab), the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody in oncology to be granted European marketing authorisation.

Hikma now has exclusive agreements with Celltrion for three biosimilar products - Truxima (rituximab), Remsima (infliximab) and Herzuma (trastuzumab) - in all its Middle East and North Africa markets.

Truxima is used to treat patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma has the exclusive rights to distribute and market Truxima in all of its MENA markets, "leveraging its strong local presence, biosimilar expertise, sales and marketing capabilities and regulatory expertise".

Mazen Darwazah, vice chairman and chief executive officer of MENA and emerging markets said: "We are pleased to be adding Truxima to our biosimilar and oncology portfolio, building on the success of our partnership with Celltrion in the MENA region. Global partnerships are an integral part of our strategy to enhance our portfolio in key therapeutic areas and increase patients' access to high-quality, affordable medicines."

At 1010 GMT, the shares were up 1.6% to 1,089p.