Intas Pharmaceuticals and Accord BioPharma's Strategic Move to Dominate Pegfilgrastim Market through UDENYCA Acquisition

Intas Pharmaceuticals and Accord BioPharma: Leading the Pegfilgrastim Market Through Strategic Acquisition of UDENYCA

In a significant development in the pharmaceutical industry, Intas Pharmaceuticals, alongside its global subsidiaries under the Accord brand, has made a powerful entry as one of the leading providers of pegfilgrastim globally. This comes after the recent acquisition of UDENYCA (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) from Coherus BioSciences, Inc. This strategic move not only enhances their portfolio but also solidifies their commitment to the biosimilar market, which has been crucial for cancer treatment.

The acquisition of UDENYCA marks a pivotal step in Intas and Accord's strategy, particularly as UDENYCA is a biosimilar of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). This addition significantly broadens the range of FDA-approved biosimilars available under their umbrella and supports their ambition to expand globally in the biosimilar market. Accord has been a frontrunner in Europe for pegfilgrastim, having introduced the first biosimilar in this category and maintaining its competitive edge despite aggressive market rivalry.

The acquisition includes not only the product but also a talented workforce from Coherus BioSciences, who will enhance Accord BioPharma's capabilities in sales, marketing, supply chain management, and production. This integration is vital for ensuring a seamless transition and continuation of supply and services associated with UDENYCA and further strengthens Accord’s operational efficiencies.

Chrys Kokino, President of Accord BioPharma in the United States, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating that it not only bolsters their market presence but also empowers their capabilities as they strive to innovate within the biosimilar sector. The executive team highlights that the commercialization of UDENYCA in various patient-friendly formats – an auto-injector (AI), a body injector (OBI), and a pre-filled syringe (PFS) – ensures flexibility that caters to different patient needs, whether at home, on-the-go, or in clinical settings.

Since its commercial launch, over 300,000 patients have benefitted from UDENYCA, with more than 1.4 million units distributed, a testament to the product's acceptance and effectiveness in preventing febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

The impact of this acquisition extends beyond the immediate benefits for Accord BioPharma. It illustrates a broader trend towards making cancer treatment more accessible and affordable for patients globally. This is significant, especially in light of the challenges that many patients face in obtaining high-quality treatment due to financial constraints. Paul's Tredwell, Executive Vice President for EMENA at Accord, noted that the availability of UDENYCA in three different formulations enhances their product offering and advances their goal of becoming the world’s leading supplier of pegfilgrastim.

Intas Pharmaceuticals is celebrated for its contributions to biosimilars in India, with a history anchored in providing quality and accessible healthcare. Their approach emphasizes developing therapies tailored to the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers alike, further highlighted by their award-winning products like Neukine (filgrastim), Pegasta (pegfilgrastim), and others. As part of their philosophy, dubbed “Biosimilar for Billions,” they continue to expand their reach in key international markets.

Incorporating UDENYCA into their portfolio not only strengthens Accord's product line but reaffirms Intas Pharmaceuticals' commitment to enhancing patient access to superior treatment options. The growth trajectory of Accord BioPharma reinforces their position as a vital player in the oncology landscape, and together, Intas and Accord are poised to redefine standards in cancer treatment through their innovative biosimilar solutions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
UDENYCA is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection evidenced by febrile neutropenia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs. However, it is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim, and patients should be monitored closely for potential side effects such as splenic rupture or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Overall, the partnership between Intas Pharmaceuticals and Accord BioPharma signifies a move towards more inclusive healthcare solutions, aligning with the global call for accessible and advanced therapeutic options.