Amman, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), the multinational pharmaceutical company, on Monday announced a new exclusive licensing and commercialization agreement with Junshi Biosciences, an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company, for toripalimab in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma has an exclusive license to develop and commercialize toripalimab injection in all its MENA markets. In addition, Hikma has the right of first negotiation for the future commercialization of three under-development drugs in MENA, Hikma said in a statement.
“Over thirty toripalimab clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally, including in China, the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Ongoing or completed pivotal clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of toripalimab cover a broad range of tumor types including cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, breast, liver, kidney, and skin, among others,” the statement added.
Commenting on this landmark agreement, Mazen Darwazeh, Hikma’s Executive Vice Chairman and President of MENA, said: “Anti-PD-1s have changed the way cancer is treated over the past few years but, unfortunately, patient access to these treatments in the region has been sub-optimal. Toripalimab has a compelling clinical profile with impressive efficacy and safety data, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with Junshi Biosciences to equip doctors and patients in MENA with this innovative treatment.”
He added, “This agreement strengthens our biotech and oncology portfolio and enables us to increase patients’ access to PD-1s, an important milestone in delivering on our purpose of putting better health, within reach, every day.”
SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY