Sandoz adds 10 biosimilars through $322m Henlius deal

Sandoz is set to add up to 10 new biosimilar assets to its portfolio under a new collaboration deal with China’s Shanghai Henlius Biotech, as the company looks to strengthen its position in the market ahead of a wave of upcoming patent expirations.

The deal – valued at a total of $322 million, with near-term payments up to $100.5 million – covers the development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of an initial three assets, with options for the two companies to partner on up to 10 biosimilars.

Switzerland-based Sandoz will hold global rights to register and commercialise the partnered products outside of China, while Henlius will maintain manufacturing and development responsibilities.

Three initial assets have already been agreed as part of the deal, including a proposed biosimilar of Eli Lilly’s Erbitux (cetuximab), an EGFR-targeted treatment used in selected patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Alongside cetuximab, the collaboration also covers proposed biosimilars of Amgen’s cholesterol-lowering drug evolocumab, marketed as Repatha, which is in technical development, as well as GSK’s Benlysta (belimumab), which is used alongside standard treatment for active systemic lupus erythematosus and active lupus nephritis.

According to Sandoz, the company also has an option for recombinant human hyaluronidase, which can be used to facilitate the subcutaneous administration of other medicines by increasing their dispersion and absorption.

Through the deal, Sandoz will expand its biosimilar pipeline to 39 assets, with the potential to increase that figure to 46 if both companies agree to include more biosimilars under the partnership at a later date.

“Expanding access to life-enhancing medicines for patients around the world lies at the heart of everything we do,” said Richard Saynor, chief executive officer, Sandoz. “By strengthening our collaboration with Henlius through this strategic agreement, one of our largest ever in biosimilars, we are not only underlining our commitment to patients, but also taking another step toward capturing a significant share of the unprecedented biosimilar market opportunity that lies ahead.”

This latest collaboration builds on an existing relationship between Sandoz and Henlius. In April 2025, Sandoz signed a $31 million up-front deal for Henlius’ version of Bristol Myers Squibb’s cancer blockbuster drug, Yervoy.