Shanghai Henilus Biotech has blockbuster biologics in biosimilar crosshairs

With a number of monoclonal blockbusters—notably Roche’s Rituxan and Herceptin—approaching patent expiry in key markets, it is not surprising that a queue is forming to create biosimilar competitors. Dr. Cheni Kwok, a business development and strategy consultant, caught up with Scrip’s Mike Ward to outline how Shanghai Henilus Biotech is positioning itself to provide affordable healthcare globally. Shanghai Henilus Biotech is an eight-year-old joint venture formed by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical and Henilus Biopharmaceuticals, established by San Francisco Bay area biotech veterans, that has built research, clinical development and manufacturing capabilities. On the cusp of commercialization of lead programs—expecting to file the first Rituxan biosimilar in China next year, while completing Phase III trials in Europe and China of a Herceptin biosimilar—the company is looking beyond China to establish partnerships.

Interviewer: Mike Ward – Global Director of Content, Informa Pharma Insights
Interviewee: Cheni Kwok – Business Development and Strategy (Consultant), Shanghai Henlius Biotech