Bausch + Lomb inks deal with Stada, Xbrane for Lucentis biosimilar candidate

Bausch + Lomb's new partnership is centered on bringing a new biosimilar before regulators for approval. The company has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Stada Arzneimittel AG and its development partner, Nordic biosimilar developer Xbrane Biopharma AB, to commercialize an in-development biosimilar candidate to Lucentis in the United States and Canada. The companies aim to obtain all currently approved indications for Lucentis in the United States and Canada. 

Stada and Xbrane will be jointly responsible for finalizing development of the biosimilar, currently known as Xlucane. Xbrane also will provide commercial supply. Bausch + Lomb will be responsible for the sales, marketing and all other commercialization efforts for the biosimilar candidate in the United States and Canada following regulatory approval.

“Through this agreement with Stada and Xbrane, we will be able to leverage our extensive expertise and heritage in the North American ophthalmic market,” said Yolande Barnard, vice president and general manager of U.S. pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb. “We believe that, once approved, this biosimilar ranibizumab candidate will be an excellent addition to our comprehensive eye health portfolio and further deliver on our commitment of continuing to expand and improve upon our ophthalmic portfolio for our customers and their patients.”

“We are convinced that biosimilar ranibizumab has strong commercial potential in North America,” said Stada CEO Peter Goldschmidt. “With its deep relationships with eye care professionals in North America, and an effective salesforce already in place to promote their comprehensive pharmaceuticals portfolio, we believe that Bausch + Lomb is the ideal partner to broaden access to this ophthalmic treatment in North America.”

“We continue to make good progress in developing biosimilar ranibizumab for North American markets. Bausch + Lomb has a very strong brand recognition and reputation amongst ophthalmologists and an existing sales infrastructure to leverage. We are excited to finalize the final steps towards marketing approval and together with our partners, bring the product to patients with severe eye diseases in dire need for cost efficient VEGFa inhibitors in the United States and Canada,” said Martin Åmark, CEO of Xbrane Biopharma.