Cipla and Qilu Partner to Bring Pembrolizumab Biosimilar to U.S. Market
Cipla Limited has secured an exclusive licensing agreement with China’s Qilu Pharmaceutical to bring a biosimilar version of the blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda to the United States. The deal tasks Qilu with the clinical development and manufacturing of the candidate, known as QL2107, while Cipla manages domestic commercialization.
This strategic alliance marks a significant expansion of Cipla’s oncology portfolio in North America. By tapping into Qilu’s robust research and development capabilities, Cipla intends to leverage its existing U.S. commercial infrastructure to challenge the high cost of current biologic therapies. Both companies emphasized that the partnership is designed to improve patient access to advanced cancer treatments once the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained.
Achin Gupta, Managing Director and Global CEO of Cipla, noted that the collaboration aligns with the firm’s long-term biosimilar strategy. For Qilu, the agreement reinforces its growing international footprint; the Chinese manufacturer currently holds 58 U.S. FDA approvals and maintains an extensive pipeline of over 50 biosimilar candidates. Marc Falkin, CEO of Cipla North America, stated that the company is prepared to navigate the competitive landscape to ensure the product reaches patients efficiently upon launch.
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