Organon Makes $103 Million Deal With Henlius Over Biosimilars

New Jersey-based Organon has inked a licensing deal with Shanghai Henlius Biotech for several of the company’s biosimilar drug candidates.

The investigational products include HLX11, a biosimilar of Genentech’s human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer drug, Perjeta (pertuzumab), and HLX14, a denosumab candidate referencing Amgen’s RANK ligand inhibitor drugs, Prolia and Xgeva.

The deal also includes an option to negotiate an exclusive license for global commercialization rights of a biosimilar candidate referencing Bristol Myers Squibb’s blockbuster drug, Yervoy (ipilimumab).

The transaction includes an upfront payment of $73 million to Henlius, plus possible development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of $30 million.