Polpharma Biologics Group Announces That Its Joint Venture Bioeq Has Submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for Biosimilar Ranibizumab to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
6.8.2021 12:13:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Polpharma Biologics Group announces that its joint venture company with Santo Holding (Strüngmann Group), Bioeq, has submitted a biologics license application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their biosimilar candidate of the ophthalmological drug Ranibizumab (Lucentis®).
The reference product is a monoclonal anti-angiogenic antibody fragment (Fab) used to treat various types of macular-degenerative diseases such as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular edemas and myopic choroidal neovascularization. Worldwide, at least 25 to 30 million people are affected by age-related macular degeneration. The launch of a biosimilar Ranibizumab can increase market competition, reduce cost and expand patient access with proven analytical and clinical similarity to the original product. It works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina.
Subject to FDA's approval of this BLA, the product will be exclusively commercialized by Coherus BioSciences, Inc. in the United States.
Said submission represents the most recent milestone for Bioeq's ranibizumab biosimilar program and compliments marketing authorization applications submitted to EMA and UK MHRA already in July this year.
Dr Joerg Windisch, CEO of the Polpharma Biologics Group, commented:
“The submission of a BLA to the FDA is a major milestone for any therapeutic and brings hope to patients across the US. This announcement carries a tangible promise of treatment choice and improved access to those who suffer from debilitating vision loss, including age-related macular degeneration. This is another representation of our commitment to providing safe and effective medicines to patients.”
1) Lucentis ® is a registered trademark of Genentech Inc.
About Ranibizumab biosimilar
The Ranibizumab biosimilar, previously designated as FYB201 (and also known as CHS-201), has been originally licensed from Formycon AG (FRA: FYB/ WKN A1EWVY), a leading German biosimilars company, and subsequently developed by Bioeq AG, a joint venture between Polpharma Biologics and Santo Holding AG (Strüngmann Group). Phase III clinical trials for FYB201 have clinically demonstrated that the efficacy of FYB201 in patients with nAMD is comparable to that of Lucentis®.
About biosimilars
Biosimilars are intended for use in place of existing, branded biologics to treat a range of chronic and often life-threatening diseases, with the potential to reduce costs and expand patient access. Biosimilars exhibit proven analytical and clinical similarity to their respective branded reference products.
About Polpharma Biologics Group
The Polpharma Biologics Group creates quality biosimilars with a passion to improve lives of patients. The group has built an extensive and growing pipeline of biosimilars to treat a number of medical conditions across major therapeutic areas. Several of these biosimilar assets have already been commercially partnered with the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies.
The group operates a network of state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facilities across Europe, actively investing in technology, people and know-how, employing over 800 specialists from around the globe.
Learn more at www.polpharmabiologics.com
About Bioeq
Bioeq is a Swiss biopharmaceutical joint venture between the Polpharma Biologics Group and the Strüngmann Group. Bioeq develops, licenses and commercializes biosimilars.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210806005187/en/
Contact information
Joseph Reeds
Head of Marketing, Polpharma Biologics
Joseph.reeds@polpharmabiologics.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Rigaku and Tohoku University Establish a New Research Institute for X-Ray Metrology28.8.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
Rigaku Corporation, a group company of Rigaku Holdings and a global solutions partner for X-ray analytical systems (Head Office: Akishima, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Kawakami; “Rigaku”), and Tohoku University (Sendai, Miyagi; President: Teiji Tominaga; “Tohoku University”) have established the Rigaku-Tohoku University Co-Creation Research Institute for X-ray Metrology: Beyond The Limits (the “Institute”) at Tohoku University on August 1, 2026. The Institute will advance X-ray metrology technology, develop new metrology methods, and foster the next generation of researchers through an initial three-year collaboration, with the possibility of extension based on its achievements. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260828688510/en/ Inside the Institute As semiconductors become smaller, more multilayered, and incorporate a wider range of materials, manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly complex. X-ray me
BLK: Portfolio Company of Enry’s Island S.p.A., Lists on Euronext Dublin28.8.2026 16:34:00 EEST | Press release
Enry’s Island S.p.A. (WBAG:EIOS), an international venture builder with headquarters in the Tremiti Islands and the Metaverse, announces that BLK Global PLC, one of the portfolio companies within its ecosystem, has successfully completed its admission to trading on Euronext Access Dublin. Trading in the company’s shares commenced on Friday, July 31, 2026, under ticker BLKX and ISIN GB00BPSKS130. BLK was one of the thousands of applications received by Enry’s Island which, following an assessment process based on the Enry’s Model, was selected for a one-year incubation and acceleration programme. The programme supported the company through its subsequent growth stages, ultimately leading to its current stock market listing. Alessandro Pacciana, Investor Relations Manager of Enry’s Island S.p.A., said: “BLK’s listing is the second stock market listing in two years among Enry’s Island’s portfolio companies, while Enry’s Island itself is the world’s first listed venture builder. We are pro
Zambon Announces European Commission Approval of Hopledo® for Adults with Parkinson's Disease and Moderate to Severe Motor Fluctuations28.8.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Zambon today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Hopledo® (modified-release levodopa/carbidopa) for the treatment of adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and moderate to severe motor fluctuations who have not been sufficiently stabilized with oral levodopa/dopa decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitor-based treatment regimens. Zambon expects to begin the phased introduction of Hopledo® across European markets starting October 2026. The company is working closely with healthcare authorities and other stakeholders to support timely access for people with Parkinson’s disease who continue to experience moderate to severe motor fluctuations despite current oral therapies. Hopledo® is a first-in-class, oral, modified-release formulation of levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) approved for the treatment of motor fluctuations of Parkinson’s disease, the fastest growing neurological condition in the world according to the World Health Organization1. Despite availab
MTG-I2 Safely in Orbit, Unlocking Faster and Sharper Weather Monitoring Across Europe28.8.2026 11:16:00 EEST | Press release
The Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 satellite (MTG-I2) has successfully passed its first critical post-launch milestones, completing the first full Meteosat Third Generation constellation in orbit. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260828243790/en/ Credit: Arianespace livestream The imager satellite MTG-I2 is safely in orbit and operating as expected following its successful launch yesterday at 22:11 CEST on board an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Our teams have established communication with the spacecraft, which has also deployed its solar panels to ensure its autonomous production of energy. MTG-I2 is in perfect shape to start its Launch and Early Operations Phase that will bring it to a higher orbit, 36 000km above Earth over the following two weeks, where a longer period of calibration and validation of its instruments will begin. This summer’s extreme weather and wildfires hav
New Daiichi Sankyo Data Underscore the Effect of Bempedoic Acid in the Real-World Management of Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular risk28.8.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Daiichi Sankyo (TSE:4568) today announced new results from the MILOS study that demonstrate the real-world impact of bempedoic acid administered either alone or as a fixed-dose combination with ezetimibe, in the management of dyslipidaemia. Presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 in Munich, the findings show that the clinically relevant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) achieved within the first year of treatment are estimated to translate into clinically meaningful reductions in 10-year cardiovascular (CV) risk.1 The data further reinforce the clinical value of bempedoic acid, and its fixed-dose combination with ezetimibe, across a diverse range of patient subtypes, regardless of gender and glycaemic profile (diabetes, pre-diabetes, or normoglycemia).2,3 Key findings from the new analyses of the MILOS study include: 10-year CV risk estimate reduction: An analysis of 960 at-risk patients estimated that one year of bempedoic acid-add-on ther
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom