CJ Healthcare said Thursday that it has signed an agreement with YL Biologics, a Japanese biosimilar company, to transfer CJ-40001 (Original: Nesp), a second-generation biosimilar treating erythropoietin (EPO), which can cause renal anemia.

Under the agreement, YL Biologics and its parent company Yoshindo is responsible for clinical trials, licensing, production and sales of CJ-40001 in Japan. CJ Healthcare CJ 헬스케어 will support the companies’ research for approval of CJ-40001 in Japan. CJ Healthcare will also receive a contract fee and royalties following the development stage, including the application for a license and approval in Japan.

CJ-40001 is an EPO treatment for treating anemia and solid cancer chemotherapy in chronic renal failure patients. The treatment differs from the first-generation treatments as it improved dosing frequency of once per week or once every two weeks.

“Following the Tegoprazan technology export to China in 2015, technology transfer of CJ-40001 shows CJ Healthcare's combination treatment R D capabilities as well as its biosimilar R & D capabilities,” said Kang Seok-hee 강석희, CEO of CJ Healthcare.

YL Biologics also showed enthusiasm for the technology transfer agreement.

"We are very pleased to be able to add the CJ-40001 to the company’s strategic pipeline,” said Toshihiko Hibino, CEO of YL Biologics. “Through the development of CJ-40001, the company plans to establish a position as a biosimilar specialist in Japan.”

The world’s EP market is worth approximately 8 trillion won ($6.9 billion), with the second generation EPO market worth around 3 trillion won. Through the agreement, CJ Healthcare has established a foothold in Japan’s 600-billion won EPO market.

The company also plans to transfer CJ-40001 technology to China.

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