Samsung Bioepis announced on July 17 that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Harrow for the sale of ophthalmic disease treatments in the U.S.
The agreement covers the commercialization of two ophthalmic treatments developed by Samsung Bioepis: Byooviz (ranibizumab) and Ophthaviz (aflibercept) in the U.S. market.
The contract will come into effect after the U.S. rights for Byooviz and Ophthaviz, currently held by Biogen, are transferred to Samsung Bioepis by the end of 2025. Biogen will continue to manage product sales until the transfer, after which Harrow will take over sales responsibilities in the U.S. market.
In October last year, Biogen announced its intention to terminate the North American sales partnership agreement for the two ophthalmic treatments it had signed with Samsung Bioepis in 2019. Since then, both companies have been working on the rights transfer process in the relevant regions.
Byooviz became the first Lucentis biosimilar to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in September 2021. It is prescribed for wet age-related macular degeneration and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, and has been available in the U.S. market since June 2022.
Ophthaviz received FDA approval in May 2024 and is indicated for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
Lee Sang-hyun, Vice President and Head of Global Business Development at Samsung Bioepis, said that their partnership with Harrow, a company with strong sales capabilities in the North American ophthalmic treatment market, will facilitate a smooth rights transfer in the U.S. market. He added that the company remains committed to expanding patient access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals worldwide.