The pegfilgrastim biosimilar is delivered subcutaneously to reduce the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in adult patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes).  Neutropenia refers to an abnormally low number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) which can increase the risk of life-threatening infections and is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The biosimilar product was approved in the European Union in November 2018.

This strategic deal expands patients’ access to pegfilgrastim therapy in four countries of Egis. With this agreement Egis gained the exclusive rights to introduce the biosimilar medicine in Hungary, Romania, Lithuania and Latvia.

Egis CEO Istvan Hodasz commented, “Egis is looking forward to launching its fourth biosimilar medicine in Central Eastern Europe.  We are highly committed to improve patient access to affordable, high-end therapeutic options in CEE and CIS countries.  The agreement with Mundipharma further strengthens the stable partnership between our companies.”

Alberto Martinez, Chairman and CEO, Mundipharma in Europe, commented, “We’re excited to build this alliance with Egis, and further expand the reach of this much needed biosimilar treatment into Central and Eastern Europe. Our long-term partnership with Egis represents an important opportunity to reduce healthcare costs in the region, whilst increasing patient access to this effective treatment option.”

Egis Pharmaceuticals’ has a strong presence in the biosimilar market, as it launched the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody (mAb) product in the European Union in 2013. Egis played a pioneer role in the area of biosimilar mAb therapies, offering a cost-effective treatment for people living with autoimmune diseases. Since then, Egis has launched two additional biosimilars for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, oncology and oncohaematology in 15 countries in the Central and Eastern European region and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The current transaction is another successful element of the company’s strategic objective aiming to strengthen presence in the biosimilar market, to improve patient access to high-end therapeutic options on affordable costs in CEE and CIS. Additionally, this pegfilgrastim biosimilar product supports Egis’ strategic goal of expanding its oncohaematology portfolio.