Sandoz inks multi-year partnership with Just - Evotec Biologics
Sandoz has entered into a multi-year partnership with Just - Evotec Biologics, the Seattle-based subsidiary of Evotec SE. The agreement covers developing and manufacturing multiple biosimilar medicines with an option for expansion. It is the most recent step toward strengthening the Sandoz foundation as a stand-alone off-patent medicines company.
Access to Just - Evotec Biologics’ drug substance development platform and manufacturing technology complements Sandoz's capabilities, supporting the expansion of the current pipeline from 15+ to 24 assets and continuing developing its early-stage biosimilar pipeline, Sandoz said.
“This strategic partnership is founded on a strong shared sense of purpose and commitment to use disruptive technology with lower operational costs to deliver high-quality biosimilars at scale to patients around the world,” said Richard Saynor, Sandoz CEO. “It provides us with additional capabilities to support the strategic expansion of our pipeline with new assets and to begin immediately transitioning our early biosimilar pipeline—ensuring continuity in development and manufacturing while Sandoz finalizes its planned separation from Novartis. Development of the biosimilars will ramp up over the coming 12-18 months."
[Read more: Novartis to separate Sandoz generics drug unit into standalone company]
Just – Evotec Biologics has developed an optimized proprietary ecosystem for cost-efficient, state-of-the-art drug development and manufacturing. This includes an advanced continuous manufacturing process, a relatively new but well-established technology that delivers enhanced quality and productivity in biologics production. Under the terms of the agreement, Sandoz has the option to use this technology.
Sandoz's partnership with Just – Evotec Biologics comes after the company announced increased investments in its Holzkirchen site in Germany to create a core Biopharma Technical Development hub supporting future biosimilar growth.
[Read more: Sandoz to build new biologics production plant in Slovenia to support biosimilars]
In addition, Sandoz recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a new biologics production plant in Slovenia—an expected investment of at least $400 million to support increasing global demand for biosimilar medicines. Work is set to begin this year, with full operations provisionally planned for late 2026.