Aurobindo Pharma has proclaimed that its wholly owned subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics has got into a special licence deal with the US-based BioFactura for biosimilar product commercialisation.

The move is intended to expand the firm’s immunology products portfolio. The BFI-751 is a planned biosimilar to Stelara (Ustekinumab). This antibody works by blocking interleukins IL-12 and IL-23, which is used for treating Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and psoriatic arthritis, the company mentioned in an exchange filing.

Ustekinumab’s global drug sales were around $10 billion in 2022.
Both parties agreed to a profit-sharing plan, with CuraTeQ receiving 57%-60% of the profits reliant upon the markets. BioFactura will receive licence fees of $33.5 million spread across diverse milestones leading to regular market commercialisation.

Under the terms, CuraTeQ has settled exclusive licence rights to commercialise BFI-751 in all major structured markets, including the US, EU, UK, and Canada.

Moreover, CuraTeQ holds worldwide manufacturing rights for this product, produced at CuraTeQ facilities in Hyderabad. It aims to file this product in India and Emerging Markets in 2024. The regulated markets filing is anticipated to begin in 2026.

The Aurobindo Pharma stock has gained over 70% in 2023 so far. The stock was boosted last week as it announced its breast cancer biosimilar product BP02 (Trastuzumab or biosimilar to Herceptin) had met its primary endpoint in the Phase-3 clinical trial. CuraTeQ develops this biosimilar product.

As per analysts at ICICI Securities, Aurobindo Pharma’s new ventures on biosimilars, peptides, and PLI aligns and will drive growth from FY25 onwards.