Bio-Thera Solutions has announced a further expansion of its partnership with Intas Pharmaceuticals for BAT2506, a proposed golimumab biosimilar, through an exclusive commercialisation and licence agreement for India.

BAT2506 is a proposed golimumab biosimilar developed by Bio-Thera. Golimumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets tumour necrosis factor alpha, a pro-inflammatory molecule. Binding of golimumab to tumour necrosis factor alpha results in reductions in C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), all inflammatory markers.

"We are pleased to further expand our partnership with Intas for BAT2506 by now adding Indian commercialisation rights to the partnership. This marks Bio-Thera's first biosimilar partnership for India.  Bio-Thera views India as an important growing market with lots of patients that can be helped by BAT2506 and other biosimilars in our pipeline. This is just the beginning of Bio-Thera's efforts to bring innovative therapies to India,” said Bert Thomas, Senior Vice President – Business Development, Bio-Thera.

The reference medicine golimumab has been approved in Canada for several indications, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis.

"Expanding our collaboration with Bio?Thera for BAT2506 strengthens Intas' commitment to increasing access to high?quality biosimilar therapies in India. By combining Bio?Thera's development expertise with Intas' strong market presence, we aim to bring trusted immunology treatments to patients while supporting the growing need for advanced biologic options across the country,"  said Binish Chudgar, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Intas Pharmaceuticals.