Juno Pharmaceuticals appointed as Fresenius Kabi’s exclusive distribution partner for IDACIO® (adalimumab)

We are pleased to announce that Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Limited (Fresenius Kabi) has appointed Juno Pharmaceuticals (Juno) as their exclusive distribution partner for IDACIO^® (adalimumab) (rch) 40 mg solution for injection pre-filled pen & pre-filled syringe.

From 1 April 2021, Juno will be responsible for the distribution of IDACIO^® in Australia. Fresenius Kabi will remain the sponsor of IDACIO^® on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

Juno and Fresenius Kabi look forward to working together to deliver value to hospitals through the launch of IDACIO^®.

Celltrion Healthcare Australia and Juno Pharmaceuticals Australia Partner on Biosimilars

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Celltrion Healthcare Australia (Celltrion) and Juno Pharmaceuticals (Juno) have entered in to a co-marketing partnership, covering the biosimilar products Herzuma (biosimilar trastuzumab), and Truxima (biosimilar rituximab). Celltrion Healthcare Australia, a division of the biosimilar developer Celltrion Healthcare, are the Marketing Authorisation holders in Australia for these and other biosimilar brands and will distribute the products in the market. Juno as a leading supplier into hospitals, has been appointed to provide sales promotion and hospital contracting services to Australian Hospital market customers.

Commenting on this partnership, Cecilia Sung – Country Manager ANZ stated that Celltrion Healthcare Australia is pleased with the opportunity to partner with Juno Pharmaceuticals to offer our global biosimilar brands to Australian Healthcare professionals and patients, with a blend of quality & economic benefits. We are also confident that with an extensive commercial network, strong customer relationships and established hospital market presence by Juno Pharmaceuticals, Biosimilar brands from Celltrion Healthcare will achieve high customer acceptance as they have been in regulated markets such as EU/ USA.    

“We are excited that Celltrion has chosen Juno to represent their rituximab and trastuzumab products in Australia. The Juno team has very extensive experience with biosimilars in the Australian marketplace over the last decade” says Mark Crotty, CEO Juno Australia.

Juno Pharmaceuticals and Amgen Australia announce partnership for the marketing and distribution of biologic medicines Neulasta® (Pegfilgrastim) and Ristempa® (Pegfilgrastim) in Australia.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Juno Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce that Amgen Australia have appointed us as their distribution partner for the exclusive marketing and distribution of Amgen’s biologic medicines Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) and the launch of Ristempa (Pegfilgrastim). This will be effective 1 March 2018.

Under the terms of this agreement, Juno will be responsible for the commercial management of these brands in Australia. Amgen will continue to be the sponsor of these brands on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and there will be no changes to the product, packaging, labelling and wholesale distribution of Neulasta. We will ensure there is no interruption to the service provided, and your local Juno Key Account Manager will work with you to provide a smooth transition.

Juno Pharmaceuticals is a rapidly growing, local Australian and New Zealand business with expertise in both biosimilars and off patent medicines. Members of the Juno team have had previous experience in the launch and management of a number of biosimilars both in Australia and abroad, including the first and leading biosimilar filgrastim in Australia. Juno’s current portfolio includes medicines across a diverse range of therapeutic areas, with hospital products the core focus of the business and a strong pipeline of complex molecules.

This partnership is a major milestone in Juno’s continued growth and strategy of diversification and expansion into the biologic and biosimilar markets. The partnership is also in line with Juno’s mission to improve the health of society, through delivering high quality products to patients, and value to hospitals, the government and tax payers.

Canadian Biosimilar Approval Process Update

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH) are revising the regulatory process for biosimilars. Following a period of consultation, CADTH has streamlined the assessment process for biosimilars, with shorter approval timelines, fewer submission requirements and abbreviated biosimilar dossier templates. The overall review timeline for biosimilars will be cut in half to three months, with fees also reduced.

Reference: Canada cuts assessment times.Generics Bulletin,2018;344:9

Introduction of Biosimilar Uptake Drivers in Australia

New biosimilar uptake drivers negotiated late last year, including ‘streamlined authority’ prescribing appear to be making a positive impact on uptake.¹ Further information on the uptake drivers can be found at http://www.pbs.gov.au/general/biosimilars/biosimilar-uptake-drivers-q-and-a.pdf

Med188. Prepared April 2018.

Reference: 1. Pharma Dispatch. Positive early signs for new uptake drivers. Mar 23rd, 2018. Available at: https://pharmadispatch.com/news/positive-early-signs-for-new-uptake-drivers. Accessed: April 2018