(RTTNews) - Sandoz (SDZNY) announced a licensing, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation agreement with mAbxience to develop a proposed biosimilar version of Emicizumab, expanding its biosimilar pipeline into hemophilia for the first time. The collaboration is aimed at increasing patient access to biosimilar medicines worldwide.

Emicizumab is the active ingredient in Hemlibra, a medicine used to treat patients, with haemophilia A, a rare genetic bleeding disorder caused by inadequate or defective factor VIII, a protein required for normal blood clotting. Hemophilia A accounts for about 80% of all hemophilia cases, and more than half of patients have a severe form of the disease.

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on a proposed Emicizumab biosimilar that is currently in early-stage development. Sandoz will hold exclusive global commercialization rights, excluding Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, while mAbxience will be responsible for development and manufacturing. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The reference Emicizumab market generated an estimated $5.7 billion in global sales, making it one of the largest biosimilar opportunities in the rare disease segment.

The collaboration also establishes a framework for the companies to evaluate additional biosimilar partnership opportunities in the future based on their shared focus on expanding access to biologic medicines.

For Sandoz, the agreement expands its biosimilar pipeline to 40 assets and builds on previous partnerships with Henlius and Samsung Bioepis. The company said the transaction supports its strategy of pursuing upcoming biosimilar market opportunities as biologic medicines lose exclusivity.

Richard Saynor CEO of Sandoz, said the addition of Emicizumab strengthens the company's pipeline and expands its presence in rare diseases, and area where biosimilars may help improve patient access while supporting healthcare system sustainability.

Sandoz currently markets biosimilars covering 13 molecules across nearly 100 countries and continues to expand its portfolio through internal development and strategic collaborations.

SDZNY has traded between $55.42 and $94.15 over the past year. The stock closed Thursday's trading at $82.19, up 3.06%.