Switzerland-based Sandoz (SWX: SDZ) announced the launch of Pyzchiva, a biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J, NYSE: JNJ) autoimmune drug Stelara (ustekinumab), in the US. The drug, developed by South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd., is approved for the same chronic inflammatory disease indications as the originator.
Licensing Deal
Sandoz secured commercialization rights to Pyzchiva in September 2023 via a licensing agreement with Samsung Bioepis, covering the US, Canada, European Economic Area, Switzerland, UK, and Brazil.
Drug Profile
Pyzchiva is the first biosimilar of Stelara, targeting interleukin-12 and -23 to treat autoimmune conditions like psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. The approval in the US aligns with the originator’s indications, offering patients a cost-effective alternative.-Fineline Info & Tech
