Biocon secures rights to sell Stelara biosimilar in nine new countries

Biocon Limited announced a licence pact with Janssen Sciences Ireland that enables the company to market its proposed Stelara biosimilar, Yesintek, across nine new territories: Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Kazakhstan. This move adds to prior agreements that set launch dates for the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, giving Biocon access to the majority of global ustekinumab markets.

Yesintek, a human interleukin-12/-23 antagonist, is approved for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Biocon highlighted that the expanded reach will allow patients to obtain a cost-effective treatment for these autoimmune diseases. The company noted that product introductions in each country remain subject to regulatory approval, and it did not disclose financial terms or specific launch timelines.