Cipla inks US biosimilar deal with China's Qilu Pharmaceutical

Cipla Ltd announced Thursday that its wholly owned subsidiary Invagen Pharmaceuticals has entered into a strategic partnership with Chinese pharmaceutical company Qilu Pharmaceutical for licensing and supply of a Keytruda biosimilar in the US market.

The product, designated QL2107, is a biosimilar to pembrolizumab, the branded cancer immunotherapy Keytruda. Under the partnership terms, Qilu will handle development, regulatory registration, and manufacturing of the biosimilar, while Cipla will utilise its commercial infrastructure to market the product across the United States.

Cipla said the collaboration aligns with its strategy to build a robust oncology-focused portfolio while expanding access to advanced cancer therapies. The biosimilar is expected to offer Indian patients and global markets an alternative treatment option at lower cost points compared to the original drug.

"This partnership reflects Cipla's confidence in the long-term potential of biosimilars," said Achin Gupta, Managing Director and Global Chief Executive Officer of Cipla, in a regulatory filing. The deal underscores Cipla's broader push into specialty pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, areas seen as key growth drivers for the company's future expansion in developed markets.