As the COVID-19 pandemic continued in 2021, the off-patent industry stepped in to provide relief in a variety of ways, whether through securing supplies of essential medicines or helping to manufacture and distribute newly-developed treatments.

Aurobindo’s CuraTeQ Biologics has expanded its biosimilar distribution agreement with Finnish Player Orion. After covering the Nordics, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia, the partnering companies have decided to expand to the Baltic countries, with launches slated for between 2023 and 2026.

Executive vice chairperson of Cipla Samina Hamied talks to Generics Bulletin about the company’s intention to become global lung leaders on the back of biosimilars opportunities and its inhalation assets. As well as discussing Cipla’s three-year strategy, Hamied – who is also the vice president of IPA – discusses creating a favorable regulatory and policy landscape in India. 

Endo’s Par Pharmaceutical has begun shipping the first generic version of Merz’s Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) 1mg/5ml oral solution in the US following FDA approval.

Viatris and Biocon continue marketing their recently launched interchangeable biosimilar Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) as a US appeals court affirms that the challenged claims of five of Sanofi’s Lantus SoloSTAR device patents are unpatentable.

Theramex and Enzene have struck a deal to commercialize a tocilizumab biosimilar rival to Roche’s RoActemra in Europe – including the UK and Switzerland – as well as Australia. The two companies recently partnered for Enzene’s proposed biosimilar version of Prolia (denosumab).