Sandoz announced that it has partnered with Just-Evotec Biologics (subsidiary of Evotec SE) to develop and manufacture multiple biosimilar medicines (with an option for expansion). The deal will utilise Just-Evotec Biologics’ AI driven drug substance development platform and continuous manufacturing technology to expand Sandoz’s pipeline from 15 to 24 assets, and integrate development and manufacturing. Sandoz highlighted that a mutual commitment to “use disruptive technology with lower operational costs” underpins the deal, and that development of biosimilars will ramp-up in the next 12-18 months.
This news comes only a few weeks after Sandoz signed an MOU to build a USD$400M biologics facility in Slovenia in March 2023.