Baxter and Momenta announce collaboration to develop biosimilars

Baxter International Inc. and Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a global collaboration to develop and commercialize biosimilars.

Biosimilars replicate existing, branded biologics used in the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders and other chronic conditions.  With this collaboration, Baxter will leverage its leading clinical development and biologic manufacturing expertise, global leadership in sterile injectables and global commercial capabilities, while Momenta will provide its expertise in high-resolution analytics, characterization, and product and process development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Baxter will make an upfront cash payment of $33 million to Momenta related to the collaboration for up to six follow-on biologic compounds.  Baxter may make additional payments over the next several years for the development of the compounds, contingent upon the achievement of technical, development and regulatory milestones with respect to all six products.

“Baxter is an established leader in biologic treatments for a variety of diseases.  As biologics have become an increasingly important part of patient care, the collaboration with Momenta allows us to tap both companies’ expertise to expand access to these important therapies,” said Ludwig Hantson, President of Baxter’s BioScience business.  “The collaboration complements Baxter’s early-stage pipeline and allows the company to expand its leadership in biologics at a time when the global regulatory pathway for approval is becoming more clear.”

“Momenta and Baxter share a common goal in this collaboration – to create interchangeable biologic products by taking advantage of Momenta’s innovative physicochemical and biologic characterization capabilities, coupled with a quality-by-design approach to process development,” commented Craig Wheeler, President and CEO of Momenta.  “We are thrilled to have Baxter as a partner.  Baxter’s global footprint and extensive development, manufacturing and commercial expertise are exactly what we need to succeed in building a leading follow-on biologics business.”

Baxter and Momenta expect to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.,

Source: Baxter press release