Samsung Bioepis announced on the 4th that it has recovered the European commercialization rights for the ophthalmic disease treatment 'Baivubiz' from its marketing partner, the American company Biogen, and will begin direct sales in Europe.
Baivubiz is a biosimilar of 'Lucentis' developed by the global pharmaceutical company Genentech, and it is a treatment for various ophthalmic diseases such as wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Until now, it has been sold in Europe through its marketing partner Biogen.
This direct sales initiative follows Samsung Bioepis's announcement last October regarding the plan to return the European rights for Baivubiz, and starting this year, Samsung Bioepis will directly carry out the commercialization of Baivubiz in Europe.
Samsung Bioepis has been accumulating commercialization experience by directly selling rare disease treatment Episkli (Soliris biosimilar) starting in 2023, as well as osteoporosis treatments Obodens and Xbric (Prolia and Xgeva biosimilars) in Europe, and with the addition of this direct sale of Baivubiz, it has expanded its direct sales products in Europe to four.
This is significant as the accumulated commercialization experience has led to the expansion of the direct sales portfolio, and Samsung Bioepis continues to broaden its business scope from development, clinical trials, and approvals to commercialization.
Linda Choi, head of the Commercial Division at Samsung Bioepis, stated, "The launch of direct sales for Baivubiz in Europe will serve as an opportunity for Samsung Bioepis to further expand its commercialization capabilities in the European market."
