Lupin, SteinCares ink pact to roll out biosimilar for eye disease in Latin America

Drugmaker Lupin has entered into a licence and supply agreement with SteinCares for commercialisation of its biosimilar ranibizumab across Latin America, excluding Mexico and Argentina.

SteinCares, which is specialty healthcare company in Latin America, will handle all regulatory filings, registrations and commercialisation of Ranibizumab in LATAM, while Lupin will be responsible for manufacturing the same, under the agreement, it said on Monday.

Ranibizumab is a recombinant humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody fragment that binds to and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). It is used in treatment of Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion, Diabetic Macular Edema, Diabetic Retinopathy and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization, Lupin said.

“Our intent is to transform the landscape of retinal care in Latin America, ensuring access to advanced therapies that improve the quality of life of patients,” Cyrus Karkaria, president – Biotechnology, Lupin, said in a release.

Chief Strategy Officer at SteinCares Sebastian Katz said the company has consistently been the first to market products from highly regulated markets across several countries in the region. The partnership with Lupin strengthens its portfolio and reinforces SteinCares’ position as a biosimilar powerhouse in Latin America.