Teva and Samsung Bioepis Expand Biosimilar Partnership
The companies have agreed to develop and commercialize six new biosimilar candidates for global markets.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Biotech
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On October 1, 2026, Teva and Samsung Bioepis announced a new agreement to develop and commercialize six biosimilar candidates. Under the deal, Samsung Bioepis will manage development and manufacturing, while Teva will handle commercialization in the United States, Europe, and Canada.
Why it matters
This partnership leverages the respective strengths of both firms to expand the global availability of complex biological therapies. By dividing responsibilities between development and distribution, the companies aim to bring more treatment options to market efficiently.
The agreement includes SB41, a biosimilar candidate for AstraZeneca's FASENRA, and SB44, a candidate for Novartis's ILARIS. Samsung Bioepis is tasked with all development, regulatory registration, and manufacturing requirements for these assets.
The players
Teva
Teva is a major multinational pharmaceutical company specializing in generic medicines and biopharmaceuticals.
Samsung Bioepis
Samsung Bioepis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and manufacturing of biosimilar medicines.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global science-led biopharmaceutical company that produces the biologic treatment FASENRA.
Novartis
Novartis is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation that manufactures the medication ILARIS.
The details
The collaboration builds upon the success of previous ventures between the two entities, including the US launch of EPYSQULI in April 2025. The new candidates will address various conditions, such as eosinophilic asthma and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Timeline
January 2025: Companies entered agreement for EPYSQLI.
April 2025: EPYSQULI launched in the United States.
July 2026: Companies entered agreement for OPUVIZ in Canada.
October 1, 2026: Companies announced new six-candidate biosimilar agreement.
The Tech Race
This deal follows the precedent set by the EPYSQULI biosimilar development project. It signals a continued effort by both firms to scale their biosimilar portfolios to better compete in the global biopharma market.
The expansion of this partnership could lead to increased market competition and potentially lower costs for patients requiring complex biologics. Consumers may see more affordable versions of treatments for conditions like asthma and arthritis become available in their region.
The takeaway
Collaborations between specialized developers and global commercial distributors are becoming central to the growth of the biosimilars market. Patients should monitor future drug launches as these agreements transition from development to clinical availability.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of drug development, visit the Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Big Molecule Watch.
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