Alvotech & Bioventure Announce Approval of AVT02 (Adalimumab) as Simlandi in Saudi Arabia

Alvotech and Bioventure, a wholly owned subsidiary of GlobalOne Healthcare Holding LLC, the healthcare division of Yas Holding LLC, recently announced the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) has approved the manufacturing and distribution of AVT02, a biosimilar for Humira (adalimumab), which is commonly indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and several other inflammatory diseases. The biosimilar will be marketed as Simlandi in Saudi Arabia.

A biosimilar is a biologic medicine that is highly similar to and has no clinically meaningful differences from an existing approved biologic medicine but can be more affordable than the reference product. In the past 12 months reported, ending on October 1, 2022, Humira (adalimumab) was the world’s highest-grossing pharmaceutical product, other than COVID-19 vaccines, with global sales of $21 billion, according to the manufacturer of the reference product.

“The approval of Simlandi by the SFDA marks an important milestone for local patients and physicians,” said Ashraf Radwan, Division CEO of GlobalOne Healthcare Holding. “We are proud to partner with Alvotech, who share our mission to lower the cost burden on healthcare systems and improve patient quality of life. We look forward to bringing this essential treatment to patients in Saudi Arabia as well as other key markets in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Robert Wessman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Alvotech, added “Approval in Saudi Arabia is a significant step in Alvotech’s journey to offer broader access worldwide to more affordable biologics. We believe that biosimilars are important in addressing inflationary pressures for healthcare systems in all markets, especially where the penetration of biologics has been depressed due to high cost and lack of access.”

Bioventure is Alvotech’s exclusive strategic partner for the commercialization of Simlandi in the Middle East and North Africa. Bioventure and Alvotech have previously entered into license agreements for multiple biosimilars.

Under the terms of the license agreement for AVT02 between Alvotech and Bioventure, Alvotech will handle development and manufacturing, while Bioventure will be responsible for the commercialization of the biosimilar. This is the first biosimilar approved under this strategic partnership.

AVT02, marketed as Simlandi in Saudi Arabia, is a monoclonal antibody and approved biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab), which inhibits tumor necrosis factor. The same biosimilar has been approved in the 27 countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the UK and Switzerland as Hukyndra; in Australia as Ciptunec/Ardalicip and in Canada as Simlandi. Dossiers are under review in multiple countries, including in the US.

Alvotech is a biotech company, founded by Robert Wessman, focused solely on the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines for patients worldwide. Alvotech seeks to be a global leader in the biosimilar space by delivering high quality, cost-effective products, and services, enabled by a fully integrated approach and broad in-house capabilities. Alvotech’s current pipeline contains eight biosimilar candidates aimed at treating autoimmune disorders, eye disorders, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer. Alvotech has formed a network of strategic commercial partnerships to provide global reach and leverage local expertise in markets that include the United States, Europe, Japan, China, and other Asian countries and large parts of South America, Africa and the Middle East. Alvotech’s commercial partners include Teva Pharmaceuticals, a US affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (US), STADA Arzneimittel AG (EU), Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd (Japan), Cipla/Cipla Gulf/Cipla Med Pro (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa/Africa), JAMP Pharma Corporation (Canada), Yangtze River Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (China), DKSH (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan), Yas Holding LLC (Middle East and North Africa), Abdi Ibrahim (Turkey), Kamada Ltd. (Israel), Mega Labs, Stein, Libbs, Tuteur and Saval (Latin America) and Lotus Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and South Korea). Each commercial partnership covers a unique set of product(s) and territories. Except as specifically set forth therein, Alvotech disclaims responsibility for the content of periodic filings, disclosures and other reports made available by its partners. For more information, visit www.alvotech.com.

Established as the investment arm of GlobalOne Healthcare Holding LLC, Bioventure aims to support innovation, business development, and global reach of value-added healthcare solutions.

Bioventure’s three-strand approach includes licensing, investment, and increased market access. It helps pharmaceutical companies license biosimilars and new innovative products, as well as expand market presence and manufacturing capabilities. The company is the exclusive license holder for Alvotech’s biosimilar portfolio and pipeline within the Middle East and Africa.

Bioventure partners with late-stage biotech as well as health/medtech startups to help drive innovation and excellence within the region. It does so through licensing, registration, acquisition, and strategic investment. For more information, visit www.yasholding.ae/bioventure/.

GlobalOne Healthcare Holding LLC operates as the Healthcare Division of Yas Holding LLC. With investments in leading bio-pharmaceuticals and innovative manufacturing solutions, GHH is delivering on its commitment to improve healthcare outcomes and patient quality of life. GHH’s healthcare portfolio focuses on the provision of world-class healthcare services across a range of areas including customised clinical and non-clinical hospital management and healthcare consultancy services. Our companies specialise in biopharma, hospital management, medical supply chain, manufacturing, and occupational health.