Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, has completed its multi-billion-dollar (USD) acquisition of the global biosimilars business of its partner Viatris.
The $3bn deal provides Biocon Biologics with direct commercial capabilities and supporting infrastructure in the advanced markets and several emerging markets, bringing it closer to patients, customers, and payors.
The integration of Viatris’ acquired global biosimilars business and Biocon Biologics’ existing capabilities in research and development, global scale manufacturing and commercialization in several emerging markets positions Biocon Biologics as a unique, fully integrated, leading global biosimilars player that is well placed to provide equitable access to high quality, lifesaving biosimilar medicines to patients across the globe.
With this acquisition Biocon Biologics says it emerges as a world leading biosimilars player with eight commercialized products.
With the closing of the deal, Biocon Biologics has full ownership of its collaboration assets, bTrastuzumab, bPegfilgrastim, bBevacizumab, bGlargine, bAspart, bPertuzumab and bGlargine 300U, as well as Viatris’ rights for the in-licensed immunology products of bAdalimumab and bEtanercept. Biocon Biologics has also acquired Viatris’ rights for bAflibercept, which is used to treat several ophthalmology conditions. Viatris has been the ‘first to file’ bAflibercept in the U.S.
Biocon Biologics has a portfolio of 20 biosimilar assets, including insulins and monoclonal antibodies spanning therapy areas such as diabetes, oncology, immunology and ophthalmology.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson, Biocon Biologics, said: “The completion of the acquisition of Viatris’ global biosimilars business is a historic inflection point in Biocon Biologics’ journey of becoming a world leading, fully integrated biosimilars enterprise, committed to serve patients’ needs for affordable access to essential biomedicines.
“It will fast-track our direct entry into several advanced and emerging markets. This acquisition builds on our decade-long partnership and will enable us to realize our vision of addressing global health inequities. I believe this move will strengthen our value proposition to deliver long-term value to Biocon and Biocon Biologics shareholders.”
“To ensure seamless continuity of services to patients and customers, Viatris will continue to work with our teams for a transition period of up to two years. I would like to thank the teams at both Biocon Biologics and Viatris that have worked together to address regulatory and statutory requirements to enable deal closure,” she added.
Robert J. Coury, Viatris’ executive chairman, said: “I am extremely pleased to have reached this monumental moment for Biocon Biologics. As a significant shareholder in Biocon Biologics, we are committed to ensuring the long-term success of the company and maximizing the value of what we are building together – a new world-class, fully integrated biosimilars leader.”
As a part of completing the transaction, Biocon Biologics has made an upfront cash payment of $2bn to Viatris and issued Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) in the company valued at $1bn, equivalent to an equity stake of at least 12.9% on a fully diluted basis.
