Dr Reddy's, Alvotech join hands to co-develop, manufacture & commercialise biosimilar of Merck's blockbuster drug Keytruda

HYDERABAD: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Iceland-based biotech player Alvotech for the co-development, manufacturing and commercialiation of a biosimilar of Merck Sharp & Dohme’s blockbuster drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab).Keytruda, which is used for the treatment of various types of cancer, clocked sales of over US$29.5 billion in 2024.The collaboration will combine Dr Reddy’s and Alvotech’s capabilities in biosimilars to speed up the development process and extend the global reach of the biosimilar candidate.As per the agreement, the two companies will share the costs and responsibilities for jointly developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and subject to certain exceptions, each company will have the right to commercialise the product globally, Dr Reddy’s said on Thursday.“The agreement demonstrates Alvotech’s ability to leverage its dedicated R&D and manufacturing platform for biosimilars, accelerating the expansion of our pipeline by pursuing growing global markets. It further enables us to increase the availability of cost-effective, critical biologic medications to patients worldwide,” said Róbert Wessman, chairman & CEO, Alvotech.Dr Reddy’s CEO, Erez Israeli, said the pact demonstrates the company’s ability to develop and manufacture high-quality and affordable treatment options for patients worldwide.

“Oncology has been a top focus therapy area for us, and this collaboration will further enhance our capabilities in oncology, as pembrolizumab currently represents one of the most critical therapies in immuno-oncology,” Israeli added.