SEOUL, KOREA - Samsung Bioepis said on February 11 it signed an agreement to develop, manufacture, and commercialize MK-1293, an insulin glargine candidate for the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The drug the two companies are to develop jointly is a biosimilar of a diabetes drug insulin glargine, sold under the name "Lantus" by Sanofi-Aventis.

 

Ko Hansung, Ph.D., CEO of Samsung Bioepis, said, "Samsung Bioepis is very pleased to extend the partnership with Merck to the field of diabetes. This collaboration will bring better access to patients with diabetes worldwide."

 

"We look forward to collaborating with Samsung Bioepis on this insulin glargine candidate, as diabetes is a top priority for the company," said Matt Strasburger, senior vice president, Diabetes, Global Human Health, Merck.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will collaborate on clinical development, regulatory filings and manufacturing. If approved, Merck will commercialize this candidate. The latest collaboration builds on the agreement made by the two companies in February 2013 to develop and commercialize multiple biosimilar candidates.