Biocad teams with SPH to build Chinese biomanufacturing plant

Russian drugmaker Biocad and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding (SPH) have formed two joint ventures to develop and make originator and biosimilar antibodies in China.

At the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two companies, establishing two joint ventures aimed at developing and manufacturing several monoclonal antibodies intended for the Chinese market.

“The project itself is focused on four molecules and two original products,” Biocad spokesperson Irina Kenyukhova told BioProcess Insider. “Due to the fact that Saint-Petersburg and Shanghai are partner-cities we have decided to establish mutual project aimed to unite the best practices and exchange our knowledge in the most rapid growing field – biotechnology.”

Russia’s Biocad has created joint ventures with China’s SPH. Image: iStock/MattiaATH

To support the projects, the firms have also said they plan to create a drug substance manufacturing footprint in China.

“Building the manufacturing facility site will incorporate all the technologies and experience, which was collected in Russian and showed excellent results,” said Kenyukhova. “There are different locations available in China, but exact place is further subject for discussions.”

However, construction of the jointly-owned production facilities is set to start as early as 2019.

From Russia with versions of…

Biocad is one of Russia’s leading biomanufacturing firms and has four biosimilars launched across several markets: Versions of Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab), Rituxan (rituximab), Herceptin (trastuzumab) and J&J’s Remicade (infliximab).

Biocad’s main production facilities for MAbs and its head office are located in Saint Petersburg. Also Biocad has a drug product production plant in Petrovo-Dalnee, just outside Moscow.

However, the firm has begun looking outside of Russia in efforts to expand its manufacturing footprint, announcing plans to build a €25 million ($29 million) 3,500m² biomanufacturing plant in Turku, Finland in May 2017.

And earlier this year, the firm said it is looking to move all its biosimilar and originator biologic production to the European Union by 2022.