The latest news from Asia-Pacific pharma, including Alovtech and DKSH’s biosimilar commercialisation partnership, Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca’s joint move to strengthen their manufacturing collaborations, and whether President Duterte’s vaccine diplomacy can kickstart the domestic Filipino pharma industry.

 

Alvotech and DKSH have expanded their partnership to commercialize six new biosimilar product candidates for the Asian markets.

https://www.contractpharma.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2020-09-24/alvotech-and-dksh-extend-biosimilar-partnership-in-asia/

The initial pipeline contains biosimilar candidates addressing multiple therapeutic areas. Bijay Singh, global head of business unit healthcare, DKSH, said, “This partnership brings together two strong players—Alvotech, with their leading position in the development and manufacturing of biosimilars worldwide, and DKSH as the leading commercial outsourcing partner for healthcare companies in Asia.”

 

dnata Ramps Up to Handle Pharmaceuticals in Asia Pacific

https://www.aviationpros.com/ground-handling/ground-handlers-service-providers/press-release/21152521/dnata-dnata-ramps-up-to-handle-pharmaceuticals-in-asia-pacific

Dirk Goovaerts, Regional CEO Asia Pacific, dnata, said: “Our company strives to stay ahead of the curve by making investments that enable us to offer enhanced services to our customers. dnata is looking forward to being the first mover of a COVID-19 vaccine once it is available.”

 

Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca forge strategic manufacturing partnership for global supply

https://samsungbiologics.com/front/en/mediaCenter/pressReleasesView.do?boardSeq=820&schBoardCtgryCcd=&schString=&schBoardYear=&boardDtm=1600700400000&page=1

Samsung Biologics (207940.KS) and AstraZeneca announced a long-term supply agreement, valued at approximately $330.8 million. Under this agreement, Samsung Biologics will provide large-scale commercial manufacturing for drug substance in its Plant 3 as well as drug product to support AstraZeneca’s biologics therapeutics, which could be increased to $545.6 million.

 

Fujifilm to seek approval for Avigan in Covid-19 after positive data

https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/fujifilm-avigan-covid-data/

Japan’s Fujifilm Toyama Chemical plans to seek approval for its anti-viral drug Avigan (favipiravir) to treat patients with Covid-19, after obtaining positive results in a Phase III clinical trial.

 

Can Duterte’s vaccine diplomacy kickstart local pharma industry?

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Can-Duterte-s-vaccine-diplomacy-kickstart-local-pharma-industry

 Experts, however, question how quickly the Philippines can advance its $4.9 billion pharmaceutical industry, whose drug makers rely almost entirely on imports and licensing of foreign patents.

 

Immunomic Therapeutics Inc. Expands into South Korea

https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/business/immunomic-therapeutics-inc-expands-into-south-korea/article_01180243-41c1-5a43-aa8c-c92ef812c4d5.html

Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., (“ITI”), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the study of nucleic acid immunotherapy platforms, originating in the United States recently opened its first office in South Korea. This continues to build on ITI’s overall strategy to be the partner-of-choice for innovative biotechnology companies in emerging centers of excellence worldwide.

 

CSafe Global opens new pharma hub in Taiwan

https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/55/16642/csafe-global-opens-new-pharma-hub-in-taiwan.html

Headquartered in the USA, CSafe Global, the innovation leader in temperature-controlled container solutions for the transport of life-enhancing pharmaceuticals, has once again expanded their global reach and local presence with the opening of a new hub operation in Taipei, Taiwan.