Bangalore based Biocon and Sandoz, the generic division of Novartis pharma today announced a global partnership to develop, manufacture and commercialize multiple biosimilars in immunology and oncology for patients worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will share responsibility for end to end development, manufacturing and global regulatory approvals for a number of products and will have a cost and profit share arrangement globally. Worldwide commercialization responsibilities will be divided and each company’s strengths will be leveraged within specific geographies. Sandoz will lead commercialization in North America and EU and Biocon will lead commercialization in rest of the world.Biocon said the collaboration with Sandoz builds upon its successful progress in the existing global biosimilars program. The most recent USFDA approval of the first biosimilar of Trastuzumab by Biocon and Mylan gave the Bangalore based drug maker a much needed validation in global pharma market as it was the first biosimilar approved of an Indian company. So far Biocon has successfully launched its insulin glargine in Japan, Trastuzumab & Bevacizumab biosimilars in India and rh- Insulin, Insulin Glargine and biosimilar Trastuzumab in few emerging markets.”Biocon’s collaboration with Sandoz addresses some of the biosimilar opportunities beyond the near term opportunities being addressed by Biocon’s existing successful global partnership with Mylan”, Biocon said in a statement. “This new partnership is a significant milestone in Biocon’s journey of developing advanced therapies that have the potential to benefit billions of patients”, Biocon added.