BioOutsource Ramps up Investment in R&D to Prepare for Biosimilars Boom

BioOutsource Ltd has announced a major initiative in new research and development programs to support the next generation of biosimilars.

“We are proud to have established a reputation as one of the top providers in comparability of biosimilars,” commented BioOutsource CEO, Gerry MacKay. “For this, we are deeply appreciative of our existing clients, with whom we have worked closely to develop a range of new assays supporting early stage development. With global biosimilar sales last year of $1.3 billion expected to explode to $35 billion by 2020, now is the time to leverage our base of knowledge and dramatically expand our R&D efforts to support the next generation of biosimilars. This investment will benefit both new and existing clients and enable them to ride the biosimilars wave with us.”

This major investment in BioOutsource’s R&D roadmap aims to align the company’s strategy to the next generation of biosimilar molecules including Stelara (ustekinumab, for plaque psoriasis), Yervoy (ipilimumab, for melanoma), Orencia (abatacept, for rheumatoid arthritis), Synagis (palivizumab, for respiratory viral infections) and Actemra (tocilizumab, also for rheumatoid arthritis).

Mr MacKay added: “We also plan to organise R&D Development Workshops with both current and future clients, to review future biosimilar development and align our R&D activities to support market requirements. This is all in keeping with our over-riding client-centric focus.”

The new R&D initiative will initially be focused on establishing and validating the primary mechanism of action bioassay and affinity (surface plasmon resonance, SPR), progressing to completion of a new, full biosimilar characterisation package.