Sandoz shares up after $322 million biosimilar deal with Henlius

Sandoz shares experienced a 2% increase on Monday following the Swiss generic drugmaker's announcement of a strategic collaboration with Shanghai Henlius Biotech. The partnership involves up to 10 biosimilars, expanding Sandoz's portfolio to 39 assets, with the potential to reach 46. Sandoz will retain global commercialization rights for the biosimilars outside China, while Henlius will manage development and manufacturing.

The agreement is worth up to $322 million, with initial payments of up to $100.5 million contingent on reaching key milestones. Analysts anticipate further in-licensing activities at Sandoz to address gaps in the industry pipeline, and have valued one deal per year for five years, risk-adjusted to 50% at CHF3.3. This valuation contributes to a street-high CHF93 price target.

The collaboration includes proposed biosimilars for cetuximab, a cancer treatment, and evolocumab, an anti-cholesterol medication, among others.