On March 18, 2026 Sandoz (SIX:SDZ/OTCQX:SDZNY), the global leader in affordable medicines, reported a major license, development and commercialization partnership agreement with Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd., marking a significant step to broaden patient access to high-quality biosimilar medicines worldwide.
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The agreement paves the way for the two companies to partner on up to five biosimilar assets. The first asset will be a vedolizumab biosimilar, which is in early-stage development. The reference medicine, Entyvio* (vedolizumab), is used to treat adult patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or pouchitis2,3.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sandoz will have exclusive rights to commercialize globally, except in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Republic of Korea. Samsung Bioepis will be responsible for development, regulatory submissions in key markets and manufacturing. Both companies have agreed to keep the financial details of the agreement confidential.
The partnership could expand the leading Sandoz pipeline to up to 32 assets and reinforces its commitment to capturing a significant share of the projected global biosimilar loss-of-exclusivity market opportunity, estimated at around USD 320 billion over the next decade1.
Richard Saynor, Chief Executive Officer, Sandoz, said: "This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality medicines for patients worldwide. It is another important step toward capitalizing on the unprecedented biosimilar market opportunity over the next decade while also strengthening our partnership with Samsung Bioepis."
Today’s news builds on the successful global partnership between the two companies first established in September 2023 for Pyzchiva (ustekinumab), which Sandoz launched in Europe in July 2024 and in the US in February 2025. The Pyzchiva collaboration is unaffected by the partnership announced today. In December 2025, the companies also signed an agreement for the commercialization of Epysqli, a biosimilar to eculizumab (Soliris**), for the Middle East and Africa region.
Sandoz continues to develop its leading pipeline of biosimilar medicines, building on its experience as the pioneer and global leader with a portfolio of 13 molecules available in nearly 100 countries.
(Press release, Sandoz, MAR 18, 2026, View Source [SID1234663630])