Biogen Reaches Agreement with Samsung Biologics to Sell Equity Stake in Their Biosimilar Joint Venture for up to $2.3 billion

Rhea-AI Summary

Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) has finalized a deal with Samsung Biologics for the sale of its equity stake in the Samsung Bioepis joint venture for up to $2.3 billion. This includes an immediate cash payment of $1 billion and deferred payments totaling $1.25 billion over two years. Biogen will maintain commercial rights for certain biosimilars, including BYOOVIZ and an investigational candidate, SB15. This move is viewed as a significant step in continuing Biogen's portfolio and enhancing financial flexibility.

Positive

• Agreement with Samsung Biologics for up to $2.3 billion enhances financial position.
• Immediate cash payment of $1 billion strengthens liquidity.
• Deferred payments of $1.25 billion can support future investments and operations.
• Retention of commercial rights for key biosimilars, including BYOOVIZ and SB15.

Negative

• None.

The companies will continue with their exclusive agreements, including for commercialization of their current portfolio

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby Samsung Biologics will acquire Biogen’s equity stake in the Samsung Bioepis joint venture for an aggregate consideration of up to USD $2.3 billion.

Biogen and Samsung Bioepis have built the industry leading anti-TNF portfolio in Europe¹. Upon the acquisition of Biogen’s stake, the companies will continue with their exclusive agreements, including commercialization of their current portfolio. This includes marketed products BENEPALI® (etanercept), a biosimilar referencing ENBREL®, IMRALDI^TM (adalimumab), a biosimilar referencing Humira®, and FLIXABI® (infliximab), a biosimilar referencing Remicade®. Additionally, Biogen will also retain commercial rights for BYOOVIZ^TM (ranibizuman-nuna), an approved biosimilar referencing LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab), as well as an investigational biosimilar candidate in development, SB15 (aflibercept), a proposed biosimilar referencing EYLEA®.

“We are thankful to Samsung Biologics for a productive collaboration since 2012,” said Michel Vounatsos, Chief Executive Officer at Biogen. “We believe biosimilars are essential to help sustain healthcare systems and represent an important value creation opportunity for Biogen.”

Samsung Biologics has agreed to pay Biogen up to $2.3 billion for its stake in the joint venture. Under the terms of this agreement, Biogen will receive $1 billion in cash at closing and $1.25 billion to be deferred over two payments of $812.5 million due at the first anniversary and $437.5 million due at the second anniversary of the closing of the transaction. Biogen is eligible to receive up to $50 million contingent upon achievement of certain commercial milestones. Closing of the transaction is contingent on the effectiveness of a securities registration statement filed by Samsung Biologics and satisfaction of certain regulatory and other customary closing conditions. Upon closing, Biogen will recognize a GAAP gain on disposal within other income (expense), net in its consolidated statement of income.

About Biosimilars
Biosimilars are biologic products that have been demonstrated to be similar in efficacy, safety and immunogenicity to the originator’s approved reference product, with the advantage that they can offer significant cost savings and increased patient access. Biosimilars may lower healthcare system costs broadly, creating headroom for innovation and could enable governments to potentially redirect savings to priorities such as increasing access to transformative therapies.

About Biogen
As pioneers in neuroscience, Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Sir Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today, Biogen has a leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and is providing the first and only approved treatment to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen is also commercializing biosimilars and focusing on advancing the industry’s most diversified pipeline in neuroscience that will transform the standard of care for patients in several areas of high unmet need.

In 2020, Biogen launched a bold 20-year, $250 million initiative to address the deeply interrelated issues of climate, health, and equity. Healthy Climate, Healthy Lives™ aims to eliminate fossil fuels across the company’s operations, build collaborations with renowned institutions to advance the science to improve human health outcomes, and support underserved communities.

The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at www.biogen.com. To learn more, please visit www.biogen.com and follow Biogen on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Biogen Safe Harbor 
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the potential benefits and results that may be achieved through Biogen’s proposed transaction with Samsung Biologics; the anticipated completion of the proposed transaction;; the potential of Biogen’s commercial business and pipeline programs; Biogen’s strategy and plans; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data presented.

These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including without limitation, risks that the proposed transaction will not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the possibility that certain closing conditions to the proposed transaction will not be satisfied; uncertainty as to whether the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction can be achieved; and the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Biogen’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement as well as the risk factors identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on Biogen’s current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this news release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

References:

1. Biogen data on file - IQVIA / MIDAS, WHO-DDD as of Q3 2021
   
   

MEDIA CONTACT: Biogen Ashleigh Koss + 1 908 205 2572 public.affairs@biogen.com

INVESTOR CONTACT: Biogen Mike Hencke +1 781 464 2442 IR@biogen.com

FAQ

What is the deal between Biogen and Samsung Biologics?

Biogen has agreed to sell its equity stake in the Samsung Bioepis joint venture for up to $2.3 billion.

How much will Biogen receive in cash from the sale to Samsung Biologics?

Biogen will receive $1 billion in cash at closing.

What are the terms of the deferred payments from Samsung Biologics to Biogen?

Biogen will receive $1.25 billion in deferred payments over two years.

What biosimilars will Biogen retain commercial rights for after the sale?

Biogen will retain rights for BYOOVIZ and investigational candidate SB15.

What potential impact does this deal have on Biogen's financial performance?

The deal is expected to enhance Biogen's financial flexibility and liquidity.